Washington Nationals defeat Atlanta Braves 11-4

Nicki Hilton plays catch with Horacio Ramirez of the Atlanta Braves before the game on Wednesday. She was on hand to be an honorary captain as the Washington Nationals defeated the Braves 11-4 at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia. PHOTO: AP

Jose Guillen homered twice, becoming the first player in the major leagues with five this season, and the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 11-4 on Wednesday before heading home for their first game at RFK Stadium.

"It's nice to have somebody who can carry us," manager Frank Robinson said. "He has instilled in this ballclub that he can get the big hit and drive in the run."

The Nationals play their home opener on Thursday, the capital's first regular-season game since the expansion Senators became the Texas Rangers after the 1971 season. US President George W. Bush, the Rangers' former owner, is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

"This team is going to surprise a lot of people," Washington's Jose Vidro said.

Tomo Ohka (1-1) won despite walking six in six innings. He gave up three runs and four hits, leaving with a 5-3 lead.

Reds 6, Cardinals 5

At St. Louis, Mark Mulder (0-1) allowed six runs and 11 hits in five innings in his second outing for St. Louis, his ERA rising to 8.18.

Austin Kearns hit a three-run homer and Joe Randa had three hits for Cincinnati.

Matt Belisle (1-1) got his second career win, allowing one run in five innings in his first major league start. Kearns hit his first homer of the year to help the Reds win for the first time in five road games. Jim Edmonds and Reggie Sanders homered for the Cardinals.

Marlins 4, Phillies 0

At Miami, Dontrelle Willis threw a three-hitter for his second consecutive shutout, and Florida used another pitching gem to beat Philadelphia.

Willis beat Washington with a five-hit shutout last Friday, and his latest performance dropped the Marlins' team ERA to 1.36, best in the major leagues. Willis struck out seven and walked one.

Philadelphia, which came into the series leading the majors in runs, was shut out over the final 15 innings.

Brewers 6, Pirates 2

At Milwaukee, Carlos Lee's two-run double off Mike Gonzalez in the eighth sparked a four-run rally, giving Milwaukee its fourth win in five games against Pittsburgh.

Milwaukee, 6-12 against Pittsburgh last year, erased a 2-0 deficit with solo homers by Geoff Jenkins and Lyle Overbay off Josh Fogg.

Jorge De La Rosa (2-0) pitched a scoreless inning. Rick White (0-2) took the loss.

Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 2

At Phoenix, Shawn Estes (1-0) allowed one run and four hits in seven innings, Tony Clark doubled in two runs and the Diamondbacks handed the Rockies their seventh straight loss.

Troy Glaus had two hits, including an RBI double, to help the Diamondbacks to their fourth consecutive victory.

Brian Bruney pitched a hitless ninth for his first major league save, sending Colorado to its 16th loss in 18 games dating to last year.

Kim Byung-hyun (0-1) allowed four runs and two hits in one inning.

Dodgers 4, Giants 1

In Los Angeles, Odalis Perez allowed one run in 6 1-3 innings, Hee-Seop Choi and Jeff Kent homered, and Los Angeles beat San Francisco for its fourth win in five games.

The win gave the Dodgers a sweep of the two-game series and four wins in five games against their Northern California rivals this season.

The Giants entered with a big league-leading .387 batting average (29-for-75) against left-handers, but they were no match for Perez, who retired 15 straight batters after Edgardo Alfonzo's single to start the second.