Chicago ? The All-Star break couldn’t come at a worse time for Vinny Castilla. The last thing he needs is time off.

The Braves third baseman homered for the second straight game and drove in four runs as Atlanta beat Chicago, 9-5, Friday.

In two games against the Cubs, Castilla is 6-for-8 with two home runs and eight RBIs — hitting safely in six straight at-bats before grounding out in the sixth inning.

“I’m feeling good now at the plate,” Castilla said. “I would love to stay like that for the rest of the season.

“Hopefully, I can continue to swing the bat like I’m doing right now.”

Sammy Sosa went 4-for-4 with two solo homers, while Eric Karros was 3-for-5 with an RBI. Sosa has 17 homers this season and 516 for his career.

Atlanta starter Mike Hampton (5-5) allowed five runs and 11 hits in 7 1/3 innings. He also hit a two-run triple off the right-field wall in the eighth.

The Braves were without Gary Sheffield, who was held out of the lineup because of a swollen thumb — making Castilla’s contributions at the plate crucial.

“The greatest thing is we were able to score some runs without Sheffield,” Hampton said. “Vinny heats up … it’s amazing how this goes in cycles. If it’s not one guy it’s the next.”

The game’s outcome was overshadowed by a scary moment in the second when Braves second baseman Marcus Giles collided violently with Cubs starter Mark Prior, sending both players to the ground wincing in pain.

With two outs in the second, Prior ran from first on a grounder hit toward Giles when the two slammed into each other on the base path. Prior’s left knee hit Giles flush in the face as the pitcher toppled over Giles, falling onto his right shoulder.

After laying on the ground for a couple of minutes, Giles walked off the field and was replaced by Mark DeRosa. He was taken to a hospital because of a mild concussion, but was released shortly after the game.

Braves manager Bobby Cox is hopeful Giles can still play in the All-Star game. Giles was voted in as the starting second baseman for the National League.

Cox said Giles didn’t look too good initially.

“He was out when Hampton got to him. He had one eye open and one eye shut,” Cox said.

Reds 6, Brewers 1

Milwaukee — Ken Griffey Jr. homered for the fourth straight game, and Ryan Dempster pitched seven strong innings as Cincinnati ended an eight-game losing streak. The Reds scored four runs in the sixth inning to break a scoreless tie and take control of the game.

Astros 4, Pirates 2

Houston — Jeff Bagwell homered and Wade Miller pitched six solid innings as Houston beat Pittsburgh for its fifth straight victory. Adam Everett, Craig Biggio and Morgan Ensberg also drove in runs for the NL Central-leading Astros.

Giants 10, D’backs 7

Phoenix — Barry Bonds homered for the fourth consecutive game and Marquis Grissom had four hits, including a two-run shot, as San Francisco beat Arizona.

Rockies 7, Dodgers 6

Denver — Todd Helton had two homers and Greg Norton walked with the bases loaded in the eighth inning for the go-ahead run as Colorado beat Los Angeles. Jay Payton had three RBIs for Colorado, which overcame three costly errors.

Phillies 10, Mets 3

New York — Pat Burrell homered to cap a four-run first inning, and Mike Lieberthal drove in two runs in Philadelphia’s six-run fifth as the Phillies cruised past New York. Randy Wolf (10-4), headed to his first All-Star game, allowed one run and scattered four hits over six innings as the Phillies won their fourth straight and improved to 4-1 on their road trip.

Marlins 5, Expos 4

Montreal — Todd Hollandsworth hit a tying homer and Juan Encarnacion singled in the go-ahead run later in the ninth inning to lead Florida past Montreal. Trailing 4-3, Florida tied it on Hollandsworth’s pinch-hit homer off closer Rocky Biddle (3-4) to lead off the ninth.

Cardinals 4, Padres 2

St. Louis — Woody Williams did not allow a baserunner into the sixth inning and had a sacrifice fly in a decisive two-run seventh as St. Louis beat San Diego to snap a four-game losing streak. Williams walked Gary Bennett with one out in the sixth to end his string. After a sacrifice, Mark Kotsay hit a two-run homer for the Padres first hit.