Philadelphia ? Chase Utley ran so fast around the bases he didn’t get to savor his first hit.

Utley hit a grand slam in his first major league game as a starter, leading the Philadelphia Phillies over the Colorado Rockies, 9-1, Thursday for a three-game sweep.

The 24-year-old second baseman, starting because Placido Polanco went on the disabled list, was 0-for-1 in his only other major league game April 4.

Utley flied out in the second inning, then gave the Phillies a 6-0 lead in the third when he homered into the right-field bullpen off Aaron Cook (1-2). Utley became the first major leaguer with a grand slam for his first hit since Boston’s Creighton Gubanich against Oakland in 1999.

“When I got back to the dugout, I was wondering why I was running so fast,” said Utley, who nearly passed David Bell on the bases. “I was stuck in the same gear. I couldn’t slow down.”

Utley, the 15th overall pick in the 2000 amateur draft, began the season on Philadelphia’s roster, but went back to Triple-A Scranton after striking out in the home opener. He was called up Wednesday night after the Phillies decided Polanco needed more time to heal an injured finger that he hurt on April 15.

Expos 1, D’backs 0

Montreal — Javier Vazquez and two relievers combined on Montreal’s major league-leading fifth shutout, and Vladimir Guerrero homered as the Expos beat Arizona. Vazquez (3-1) allowed six hits in seven innings to help the Expos blank Arizona for the second time in three days.

Braves 4, Cardinals 3

Philadelphia's chase utley hammers a grand slam against Colorado. The Phillies won, 9-1, Thursday in Philadelphia.

Atlanta — Andruw Jones hit a two-run single in the ninth inning, rallying Atlanta past St. Louis. The Braves went to the ninth trailing 3-2, but Rafael Furcal got things started with a leadoff single. Marcus Giles sacrificed him to second before Steve Kline (0-2) walked Gary Sheffield and Chipper Jones to load the bases.

Reds 3, Dodgers 2 (11)

Cincinnati — Kevin Brown struck out 11 in seven dominating innings, but Reggie Taylor’s RBI single in the 11th gave Cincinnati a victory over Los Angeles. The Reds have won consecutive games for only the second time this season, taking advantage of a struggling offense that managed only four runs in the three-game series.

Marlins 4, Brewers 2

Miami — Mark Redman struck out a career-high 11 and pitched a four-hitter as Florida beat Milwaukee for a three-game sweep. Redman (2-2), backed by an early 4-0 lead, walked one and earned his first win since striking out 10 in beating Philadelphia April 3.

Mets 7, Astros 4

New York — Pedro Astacio returned to the Mets’ rotation with six impressive innings, and Roberto Alomar doubled twice to spark New York past Houston. Alomar drove in two runs and scored twice as the Mets matched their longest winning streak of the season at two and their season high for runs. They did it minus All-Star catcher Mike Piazza, a late scratch from the starting lineup because of a sore groin.

Giants 3, Pirates 1

Pittsburgh — Damian Moss (4-0) shut out Pittsburgh on five hits over seven-plus innings. Barry Bonds singled his first two times up and drove in the first run in a three-run third inning against Kris Benson (2-3) after sitting out two games because of a stiff neck. Tim Worrell yielded an RBI double to pinch-hitter Matt Stairs with two outs in the ninth, then retired Abraham Nunez on a groundout.

Padres 2, Cubs 1

Chicago — Oliver Perez (1-2), winless in his first four starts, struck out six in 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing six hits. Chicago lost consecutive games for only the second time this season.