Mets 7-6, Cubs 6-3

NEW YORK— Robin Ventura hit a solo homer and Rey Ordonez added a two-run single in a five-run sixth inning Saturday as the New York Mets completed a doubleheader sweep of the Chicago Cubs, 7-6.

Derek Bell went 4-for-5 with two RBIs, and Glendon Rusch (1-1) won his first game as a starter in two seasons as New York won the opener 8-3. The Mets have won six straight, while Chicago has lost six of seven.

Dennis Cook (3-0) pitched 1 1-3 innings to win the second game, and Armando Benitez pitched the ninth for his seventh save. Kyle Farnsworth (1-3) allowed Ventura's homer, which tied it at 3, and Ordonez singled off Mark Guthrie.

In the opener, Rusch gave up two runs and four hits in seven innings. Jon Lieber (1-2) allowed three runs in seven innings.

DODGERS 16, REDS 2: At Cincinnati, Todd Hollandsworth led off the game with the first of a four-homer barrage, and Los Angeles scored its most runs since beating Colorado 17-11 at Coors Field on May 6, 1995.

Kevin Elster hit a two-run homer off Pete Harnisch (0-2), Eric Karros added a three-run shot and Gary Sheffield connected for a two-run homer off Manny Aybar.

PADRES 8, ASTROS 6: At Houston, Carlos Hernandez, activated earlier in the day, hit a two-run double off Yorkis Perez (1-1) in the 10th.

Will Cunnane (1-0) pitched a hitless ninth, and Trevor Hoffman struck out the side in the 10th for his third save. Ryan Klesko hit a 440-foot homer in the sixth, the first drive to clear the grassy knoll in center at Enron Field.

GIANTS 8, DIAMONDBACKS 6: At Phoenix, Barry Bonds hit his 452nd home run and tied Carl Yastrzemski for 21st place on the career list.

Diamondbacks closer Matt Mantei made his first appearance of the season, pitching a hitless ninth inning and striking out Bonds. He had been sidelined by biceps tendinitis.

Kirk Rueter (2-1), making his first start in 11 days, allowed four runs and four hits in seven innings. Robb Nen worked the ninth for his third save.

BRAVES 4, PIRATES 2: At Atlanta, Andruw Jones homered, Bruce Chen (2-0) pitched three scoreless innings in relief and John Rocker struck out the side in the ninth for his second save as Atlanta Braves won its sixth straight.

The reliever, who returned Monday following a two-week suspension, came in to another standing ovation. After allowing a two-out singles to Pat Meares, he fanned Brian Giles on a checked-swing.

MARLINS 4, PHILLIES 2: At Miami, Jesus Sanchez was 2-for-2 with an RBI and pitched into the seventh inning as the Florida Marlins ended their six-game losing streak against Philadelphia.

Sanchez (3-0) allowed two runs and seven hits in 6 1-3 innings, struck out four, walked two and hit two batters.

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BREWERS 7, EXPOS 3: At Montreal, Geoff Jenkins homered for the second straight game and added a two-run double as Milwaukee stopped a five-game losing streak.

Everett Stull (1-1) got his first major league win, allowing two runs and nine hits in five-plus innings. He gave up consecutive homers by Lee Stevens and Chris Widger leading off the fourth.

ROCKIES 7, CARDINALS 6: At St. Louis, Jeffrey Hammonds atoned for an error with a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning Saturday night as the Colorado Rockies beat the St. Louis Cardinals.

Mark McGwire and Fernando Tatis hit two-run homers to give the Cardinals an NL-record 42 homers in April. St. Louis has homered in 14 straight games, three shy of the team record.

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