Atlanta ? Greg Maddux had perhaps his best start of the season, John Smoltz picked up his 17th straight save and the Atlanta Braves kept the best record in the major leagues.

What better way to head to the All-Star break?

Maddux pitched seven scoreless innings and allowed just three hits as the Braves beat the Chicago Cubs, 2-0, Sunday.

“It’s an enjoyable way to end the first half,” Smoltz said. “On one hand, you want to keep playing, but on the other hand, it’ll be nice to get a few days off.”

The Cubs, playing their second game for interim manager Bruce Kimm, were without Sammy Sosa for the third straight game because of a family emergency.

The Braves won for the 15th time in 18 games, and won their 13th straight series.

“You want to win each series,” manager Bobby Cox said. “It’s been a great run. We know darn good and well there’s 80-some games left.”

Going on three days rest, Maddux (8-2) got 11 groundball outs and threw just 82 pitches before turning the game over to Chris Hammond, who pitched a scoreless eighth. John Smoltz pitched a perfect ninth for his 31st save in 34 chances.

Maddux, 18-6 in 33 starts pitching on three days rest, took the mound in place of Damian Moss, who was moved to the bullpen Saturday in case Tom Glavine had problems with the blister on his index finger. Moss pitched an inning in relief in the Braves’ 7-3 loss.

“I felt good, I felt like I was in control,” Maddux said. “I was ready to pitch. I’m lucky enough to play for a manager who will give you these opportunities. I didn’t want to sit around and wait.”

Jon Lieber (6-6) nearly matched Maddux, allowing two runs one earned on five hits in seven innings.

Giants 5, D’backs 2

Phoenix Barry Bonds homered for the second game in a row as San Francisco beat Arizona to split their four-game series. Bonds had gone 33 at-bats without a home run, his longest drought of the season, before hitting his first ever off Randy Johnson in San Francisco’s 3-2 victory Saturday night. He followed with a three-run shot off Rick Helling on Sunday, Bonds’ 27th home run of the season. He went 3-for-3 with two walks, reaching base every time he batted.

Mets 9, Marlins 3

Miami Jay Payton hit a three-run home run and drove in a career-high five runs as New York beat Florida in a game that was stopped four times because of rain. The game was halted a total of 3 hours, 3 minutes 38 minutes in the first inning, 17 minutes in the third, 1 hour, 44 minutes in the fourth and 24 minutes in the sixth.

Astros 6, Pirates 1

Pittsburgh Jose Vizcaino’s two-run double keyed the second five-run inning against Pittsburgh’s Jimmy Anderson in as many starts, and Wade Miller held the Pirates to a run over six innings. Miller struck out a season high nine as he and three relievers combined for 14 strikeouts. Roy Oswalt, Octavio Dotel and Billy Wagner pitched an inning each. Houston outscored Pittsburgh 27-13 in winning three of four in a series.

Brewers 7, Reds 4

Cincinnati Eric Young had three hits, and Paul Bako and Jeffrey Hammonds homered to lead Milwaukee over Cincinnati. Milwaukee starter Ruben Quevedo left one out short of qualifying for the win. Valerio De Los Santos (2-2) recorded the final out of the fifth when Sean Casey flied to left field with the bases loaded.

Phillies 10, Expos 8

Philadelphia Scott Rolen hit a two-out, two-run homer in the eighth inning as Philadelphia avoided a four-game sweep against Montreal. Rolen connected on a 1-0 pitch from Matt Herges (2-3) for his 13th homer of the season, scoring Jeremy Giambi, who walked with two outs. Rheal Cormier (4-4) pitched a scoreless eighth for the win and Jose Mesa pitched the ninth for his 23rd save in 28 chances.

Cardinals 12, Dodgers 6

St. Louis Eduardo Perez and Albert Pujols hit three-run home runs, and the St. Louis bullpen picked up the slack in a victory over Los Angeles. The Cardinals have won five of seven to take a two-game lead in the NL Central. The Dodgers, in first place in the NL West, entered the All-Star break having lost three of five. The teams split a four-game series.

Padres 7, Rockies 1

Denver Rookie Oliver Perez allowed one hit over 62/3 innings and struck out a career-high 13, and Ryan Klesko hit two home runs as San Diego snapped a six-game losing streak.