National League Roundup: Andy beats Alan in battle of Beneses

? This sibling rivalry was no contest.

Andy Benes came within one out of a shutout and contributed to younger brother Alan’s early exit with two hits during an 11-run third inning as the St. Louis Cardinals beat Chicago 11-2 Friday night.

“We were hoping for a 1-0 game,” Andy Benes said. “I’ll tell you what, the third inning just killed me watching it and I had to kind of regroup.

“He’s my younger brother and I’m his second-biggest fan behind his wife and it’s gut-wrenching.”

The Benes vs. Benes matchup was believed to be only the seventh time in major league history that brothers have faced each other. It was the first time since Ramon Martinez beat younger sibling Pedro Martinez on Aug. 29, 1996.

Charles Benes watched his sons from a box seat midway between the two dugouts, alternately wearing a Cubs and Cardinals cap. Earlier this season, the Benes brothers opposed each other in a minor league game while both were on the comeback trail.

“I’d probably rather come to the game and not talk about facing my brother,” Alan Benes said. “I’ve never been one to love the media attention.”

The NL Central-leading Cardinals won their third in a row and ended the Cubs’ three-game winning streak.

Albert Pujols had four RBIs in the Cardinals’ big inning with a two-run single and a two-run double. But he was taken out with a spasm in his upper left shoulder after he limped to second on his double.

Pujols, who recovered this week from a groin injury, said he felt the spasm down to his thighs and didn’t know whether he’d be able to play today.

Braves 5, Expos 0

Atlanta Kevin Millwood pitched a three-hitter and hit a two-run double to win his seventh consecutive decision as Atlanta reduced its magic number to four with a 5-0 victory over Montreal.

Mets 7, Phillies 2

Philadelphia Jeromy Burnitz hit a three-run homer.

Pirates 11, Marlins 0

Pittsburgh Jack Wilson hit a three-run homer and had a career-best four RBIs as Pittsburgh beat Florida.

Reds 5, Brewers 3, 12 innings

Milwaukee Barry Larkin singled in the go-ahead run in the 12th inning, and Cincinnati stayed unbeaten at Miller Park this season by beating Milwaukee.

Rockies 7, Padres 3

Denver Juan Uribe hit a three-run homer, rookie Aaron Cook pitched seven strong innings and Colorado beat San Diego.

Dodgers 3, Astros 2

Los Angeles Eric Karros’ sacrifice fly in the eighth inning scored Shawn Green with the go-ahead run as Los Angeles beat Houston. The Dodgers kept their three-game lead over San Francisco in the wild-card race and trimmed Arizona’s lead in the NL West to 4 1/2 games.

Giants 1, D’Backs 0

San Francisco Reggie Sanders singled home the winning run in the ninth inning to lift San Francisco over Arizona.