Cincinnati ? Lance Berkman figures the way he hits Cincinnati Reds pitching is just one of the quirky things about baseball.

Berkman became the first major leaguer this season to homer three times in a game, driving in five runs as the Houston Astros hit five home runs in beating the Reds, 8-3, Tuesday night.

“Sometimes a guy just owns you and can’t get a hit off him to save your life,” Berkman said.

Berkman owned the Reds on Tuesday, as he has most of his career.

“Tonight was a good night,” Berkman said. “But the season’s built around singles and base hits. You can’t always hit the ball out of the ballpark.”

It was the second three-homer game for Berkman, but his first in the majors. He said he had three in a Triple-A game with New Orleans in 2000.

The first two Tuesday night were off Reds starter Jose Acevedo, and they cost Acevedo (2-1) his job. Acevedo was optioned to Triple-A Louisville after the game.

“He left some pitches up and out over the plate,” Berkman said. “They were probably mistakes.”

Mets 3, Braves 1

New York The New York Mets and Rey Ordonez took advantage of fielding flubs instead of making them. Atlanta second baseman Marcus Giles misplayed Ordonez’s sixth-inning grounder, allowing the tiebreaking run to score.

Giants 5, Padres 1

San Diego Kirk Rueter held San Diego to three hits in seven scoreless innings to give San Francisco’s weary bullpen a rest and Benito Santiago hit a two-run homer as the Giants beat the Padres.

Diamondbacks 5, Cardinals 3

Phoenix Although not at his overpowering best, Randy Johnson was good enough to become baseball’s first four-game winner as Arizona won its sixth in a row. Johnson helped himself with an RBI double.

Rockies 6, Dodgers 4

Denver Jason Jennings, pitching five days after taking a wicked liner off his elbow, threw six innings and had an RBI double as Colorado ended a five-game losing streak.

Pirates 5, Brewers 1

Milwaukee Jimmy Anderson allowed three hits in seven innings and Brian Giles homered as Pittsburgh beat Milwaukee, handing the Brewers their ninth loss in 10 games.

Expos 8, Cubs 4

Montreal Vladimir Guerrero homered twice and had four RBIs including a run-scoring single to cap Montreal’s five-run fourth inning to lead the Expos over Chicago. Guerrero homered on an 0-2 pitch from Juan Cruz (0-3) with two outs in the first.

Marlins 7, Phillies 6

Miami Preston Wilson’s two-out single in the ninth inning scored Kevin Millar from second base and gave Florida a win over Philadelphia.