NL East wrap: Astros top Braves; Fish fall again

Monday, June 13, 2011
Posted: 12:08 p.m.Updated: June 14, 1:47 a.m.

The Associated Press

Astros 8, Braves 3

BOX SCORE

HOUSTON -- Hunter Pence never wants a day off, no matter how he feels.

Being forced into one on Sunday by manager Brad Mills may have been just what Houston's star right fielder needed to put his back trouble behind him.

Pence returned from the day off to homer and drive in four runs -- extending his career-best hitting streak to 23 games -- as the Astros snapped a four-game skid with an 8-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.

Pence missed his first game this season on Sunday while dealing with tightness in his lower back. He said before the game that he felt great and then quickly showed it by hitting a two-run homer off Derek Lowe (3-5) in the third inning.

He said a meeting players had on Sunday night was helpful in getting the team, which has the worst record in the National League, going in a better direction.

"To come out after we have a good talk with everyone talking baseball -- just to play good like we did today, hopefully it's something we can build on," Pence said. "This is what we need more of. We need to show the capabilities that these guys have and we need to start growing."

He finished with three hits, including a two-run single in Houston's five-run sixth inning, and is batting .325 with 50 RBIs. Pence's hitting streak is the longest active streak in the majors.

Wandy Rodriguez (4-3) allowed two hits in six scoreless innings for the win in his return from the disabled list. He said he didn't feel very good in the first inning, but that he felt better after that.

"He didn't let innings build," Mills said. "Guys got on base and got in scoring position, but he didn't let innings get away from him."

Wilton Lopez and Sergio Escalona each pitched a scoreless inning.

Diamondbacks 12, Marlins 9

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MIAMI -- A nine-run lead in the third inning should make for an easy win. That was hardly the case for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.

Arizona had to hold off the struggling Florida Marlins, whose comeback fell just short as the Diamondbacks won 12-9.

"Give them credit, they pressured the daylights out of us," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said.

Miguel Montero hit three doubles and drove in four runs, and pitcher Zach Duke hit a two-run homer for the Diamondbacks, who have won four of five. Juan Miranda had three RBIs and Justin Upton knocked in a pair.

"It was nice to see us swing the bats," Upton said. "This was a good series for us."

The Marlins have lost 11 of 12, finishing 1-10 on their homestand despite a season-high 16 hits.

"It was good to see that from the offense," Florida manager Edwin Rodriguez said.

The Diamondbacks led 9-0 in the third inning, but Florida pulled within 12-9 in the eighth on a two-run single by John Buck.

J.J. Putz earned his 18th save in 20 chances by pitching a scoreless ninth.

"It's good we're going home with a win," Gibson said.

Ricky Nolasco (4-2) allowed nine runs -- five earned -- in three innings for the Marlins. It was the second time in four starts he has allowed at least eight runs. He gave up eight in a loss to the Dodgers on May 29.

"This one is on me," Nolasco said. "It wasn't my day. It was a rough one. Anytime we score nine runs, I expect myself to win."

Pirates 3, Mets 1

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PITTSBURGH -- The previous time he faced the Mets, Paul Maholm was angry at himself for "screwing up" one of the few times this season the Pittsburgh Pirates gave him sufficient run support.

Maholm was so mad after allowing New York to come back from a 7-0 deficit June 2 that he hasn't allowed a run since.

The left-hander pitched seven shutout innings, Brandon Wood homered and the Pirates beat the Mets 3-1 on Monday night to split their four-game series.

"When it's game day, it's time to go compete and have fun," Maholm said. "When I get on the mound, my focus is to get the first guy of an inning out and get groundballs. That's how it's been going lately, and hopefully I can continue to get in a groove and stay that way."

Maholm (3-7) lowered his ERA to 3.12, allowing only three hits and two walks. Hampered by poor offensive support, he won for just the second time since April 25.

Maholm allowed only one hit over six innings in his previous start Wednesday, but for the fourth time this season the bullpen cost him a win when it blew a save.

"Sometimes, a pitcher is too worried about making a mistake if there's no room for error or no large safety net to work with," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "In Paul's case, he's seen a lot, been through a lot, thrown a lot of innings. I know for a fact he's really comfortable with the way he's pitching now."

Despite being outscored 18-7, Pittsburgh split a four-game series with New York for the second time in two weeks. The Pirates are 3-3 in their past six games despite scoring only 10 runs in that time.

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