Jayson Werth hit a two-run homer off Brett Tomko (11-7), who lost for the first time in 12 starts since July 29. Jeff Weaver (13-12) allowed nine hits over six innings for his first win in six starts, and Eric Gagne got six outs to earn his 45th save in 47 chances.
In their final home series of the season, the Giants wasted a chance to reclaim the wild-card lead from the Cubs. San Francisco remained a half-game behind Chicago.
Mets 3, Cubs 2
In New York, Al Leiter pitched two-hit ball for six innings to earn his first win in six weeks, and New York kept Chicago from improving its playoff chances.
The Cubs managed only seven runs in 30 innings over the weekend, losing two of three games to the lowly Mets. Sammy Sosa, in a 5-for-41 slump, went 0-for-12 in the series.
New York capitalized on wildness by Kerry Wood (8-8) to score three runs in the first inning. Leiter (10-8) had been 0-4 in seven starts since beating Arizona on Aug. 14. Braden Looper finished the three-hitter, earning his 28th save.
Braves 6, Marlins 3
In Atlanta, the Florida Marlins were eliminated from postseason contention, losing to Atlanta as John Thomson held the Marlins to one run in seven innings. Florida has lost six straight -- its longest skid since May 2003.
Dontrelle Willis (10-11) gave up six runs and seven hits in six innings, dropping the NL Rookie of the Year to 1-3 in seven starts since Aug. 14. Florida finished 5-14 against the Braves this season.
Chipper Jones drove in two runs for Atlanta, raising his total to 95 with six games remaining. Jones, trying to join Sammy Sosa as the only NL players with nine straight 100-RBI seasons, had just 34 at the All-Star break after playing hurt for much of the first half.
Thomson (14-8) improved to 5-0 in seven starts since Aug. 15, allowing four hits.
Cardinals 9, Rockies 3
In Denver, Albert Pujols hit his 46th homer to move within one of the major league lead and Jason Marquis pitched seven strong innings, helping St. Louis beat Colorado for its fifth straight victory.
Pujols was 4-for-5 with four RBIs, Hector Luna tied a career high with four of the Cardinals' 16 hits and St. Louis (103-52) moved 6 1/2 games ahead of the Yankees for the best record in baseball.
The Rockies closed out their worst home season at Coors Field.
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