Bobby Bonilla's first homer of the season was a big one.

Bonilla's grand slam highlighted a seven-run fourth inning that gave the Florida Marlins an 11-5 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night."I was feeling no pressure at all," Bonilla said of his homer drought, which covered 49 games dating to last Sept. 15, when he was with the Baltimore Orioles. "It was more important to win the game than to hit a grand slam."

Bonilla's homer came off Paul Byrd, who relieved starter Terrell Wade (1-3) with one out in the fourth and runners on first and second.

"The fourth inning was a dud," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "We made bad pitches, and when you do that against a team like that, you are going to get hurt."

The Marlins, who pulled within four games of the first-place Braves in the NL East, got a scare when star outfielder Gary Sheffield injured his left thumb diving for a sinking liner in the sixth inning. But it turned out to be a mild sprain, and Sheffield should be back in a few days.

Rookie Tony Saunders (2-1) beat the Braves for the second time in a week, allowing only five hits and three runs in seven innings.

Wade, pitching with only three days rest in place of ailing Tom Glavine (sore hand), gave up five runs on six hits, including Sheffield's two-run homer in the third.

Mets 4, Astros 3

At New York, Butch Huskey hit a tie-breaking homer in the seventh and starting pitcher Armando Reynoso hit his third career homer as the Mets won their fourth straight. Huskey, who has four homers in his last six games, broke a 3-3 tie with a solo shot off Russ Springer (1-1).

Expos 7, Padres 3

At Montreal, Pedro Martinez improved to 6-0 with his second complete of the season. Martinez, who entered with a major-league leading 0.50 ERA, allowed three runs - two earned - and 11 hits.

Henry Rodriguez hit a three-run homer and Rondell White went 3-for-4 with three RBIs as Montreal won for the fourth time in six games.

Phillies 3, Cardinals 2

At Philadelphia, Scott Rolen's two-run triple highlighted a three-run eighth for the Phillies. St. Louis starter Andy Benes blanked the Phils for seven innings before the Cardinals bullpen blew it.

Philadelphia starter Garrett Stephenson allowed just two hits and struck out 12 in seven innings of his first major-league start. The 25-year-old right-hander fanned the first five batters.

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Cubs 2, Dodgers 1

At Chicago, Sammy Sosa hit a two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning for the Cubs. Mark Grace walked against Pedro Astacio (3-1) and Sosa followed with a homer over the center-field wall to put Chicago up 2-1.

Giants 4, Reds 1

At Cincinnati, Jeff Kent hit his second grand slam of the season, and Shawn Estes pitched 7 1-3 strong innings for San Francisco. Kent hit his eighth homer of the year as the Giants won their third straight to stay atop the NL West. Estes (5-2) allowed one run on five hits, and also erased two runners with pickoff throws.

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