Sammy Sosa doubled in the sixth, moved to third on a single by Aramis Ramirez and scored on a single by Eric Karros.
Dodgers 9, Marlins 3
In Miami, Dontrelle Willis retired only six batters and gave up seven runs, including a three-run homer by Adrian Beltre that helped Los Angeles beat Florida.
In a rare show of offense by the Dodgers, their first eight hitters reached base in the third inning as they scored six times. Nine runs matches their best since April 20.
Willis (11-3) lasted only two-plus innings, matching his shortest outing. The rookie's ERA rose from 2.56 to 3.10, and in five starts since the All-Star break it's 6.48.
Odalis Perez (8-9) allowed two runs and seven hits in eight innings and retired 13 batters in a row. An .050 hitter, he also walked and scored the run that put Los Angeles ahead to stay.
The Marlins, who have lost two successive games for only the second time since June 17-18, fell one-half game behind idle NL wild-card leader Philadelphia. The Dodgers are three games behind.
Cardinals 6, Pirates 4
In Pittsburgh, Albert Pujols and Bo Hart homered in the first inning as St. Louis, relying again on solo homers, held on to beat Pittsburgh.
Edmonds twice threw out runners at the plate, including Abraham Nunez in the eighth with the potential go-ahead run on base. The Pirates had four consecutive singles in the eighth, yet didn't score as relievers Pedro Borbon and Cal Eldred each retired a batter with the bases loaded.
The Cardinals won despite being outhit 17-10.
Miguel Cairo and Scott Rolen also homered for the Cardinals, who hit four solo homers in the first four innings off Kip Wells (5-6) a night after hitting three solo shots in beating the Atlanta Braves 3-2. Pujols' homer was his 32nd and his ninth in 21 career games at PNC Park. He extended his hitting streak to 25 games.
Expos 3, Rockies 1
In Montreal, Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run homer and Zach Day pitched six strong innings to lead Montreal over Colorado.
Montreal, which returned from a 1-5 road trip, improved to 27-16 at Olympic Stadium.
Colorado lost its third consecutive game, falling to 19-42 on the road to begin a seven-game trip.
Guerrero followed Jose Vidro's one-out double in the third inning off Jason Jennings (10-10) with a drive over the center-field wall for his 14th homer.
Day (6-4) struck out a career-high seven while allowing five hits, including Chris Stynes' RBI double in the third. Rocky Biddle pitched the ninth for his 28th save in 33 opportunities.



