Montreal ? The Atlanta Braves are ready to celebrate their latest success.

Mike Hampton allowed three hits in five innings and hit a home run as Atlanta closed in on its record 12th straight division title with a 14-4 victory Wednesday night over Montreal.

Javy Lopez and Andruw Jones also homered, and manager Bobby Cox got his 1,900th win as the Braves reduced their magic number for winning the NL East to one.

“If we don’t celebrate, I may not play again,” Jones said. “Last year we didn’t, and we go bang in the first round. We celebrate this year. We’re going all the way. A lot of teams don’t get a chance, so we should take it when we can.”

Vladimir Guerrero, eligible to become a free agent after the season, went 2-for-2 with a walk as Montreal ended its home schedule with a 39-20 record at Olympic Stadium. The Expos finished with a 52-29 home record, including 22 “home” games at Puerto Rico.

After he was removed in the sixth, Guerrero came out of the dugout for a pair of curtain calls from the crowd of 17,526. He refused to talk to reporters following the game after telling the crowd: “Merci beaucoup, I love you and muchas gracias.”

Giants 8, Padres 3

San Francisco — The Giants have been the best in the West since March 31 — and now they’re headed for October.

Jason Schmidt had 11 strikeouts in his 16th win, and Andres Galarraga and Marquis Grissom each hit a two-run homer as the Giants beat San Diego to clinch the NL West title and their third playoff berth in four seasons.

By taking first place on opening day and never letting go, the defending NL champions became just the ninth wire-to-wire winner of a division or pennant in baseball history. The last three — Baltimore in 1997, Cleveland in 1998 and Seattle in 2001 — failed to reach the World Series, however.

The Giants’ win coupled with Los Angeles’ loss gave San Francisco an insurmountable 13-game division lead with less than two weeks to play — including seven games against the rival Dodgers.

Rockies 7, Astros 5

Denver — Todd Helton hit a three-run homer, and pinch-hitter Mark Sweeney had a two-run single, leading Darren Oliver and Colorado over Houston. Houston had its four-game winning streak snapped but still has won 10 of 13. Colorado ended a three-game losing skid.

Cubs 2, Mets 0

Chicago — Kerry Wood struck out 11 in his fourth complete game of the year, and Doug Glanville and Aramis Ramirez homered as Chicago completed a three-game sweep. The sweep was Chicago’s fourth of the season, but its first at home. The Cubs hadn’t swept the Mets since taking a four-game series at Wrigley Field in August 1992. Wood pitched a four-hitter for his 13th win, matching his total from 1998, when he won NL Rookie of the Year honors. Wood (13-11) has at least 12 victories in each of the four years he’s been healthy enough to pitch the full season. Al Leiter (14-9) allowed just four hits and one walk in seven innings, and retired his last 13 batters.

Marlins 11, Phillies 4

Philadelphia — Jeff Conine homered, drove in three runs and made two outstanding defensive plays in left field, leading Florida. The Marlins increased their NL wild-card lead to 1 1/2 games over the Phillies. The teams play again starting today at Veterans Stadium and have a three-game series next week in Florida. Juan Pierre had four hits and a career-high four RBIs for the Marlins, who have won nine of their last 10 against Philadelphia.

Pirates 8, Reds 5

Pittsburgh — Matt Stairs hit a two-run homer, and Jeff D’Amico won at home for the first time in more than two months. D’Amico (9-15) came in tied for the NL lead in losses, but was staked to an early lead. He gave up four runs and five hits in 7 1/3 innings for his first win at PNC Park since July 6.

Brewers 7, Cardinals 6

St. Louis — Jason Conti drove in a career-high five runs, including a go-ahead single in the ninth inning. Pinch-hitter Brooks Kieschnick tied it with a two-run homer off Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen, who blew a 6-4 lead in the ninth. Isringhausen (0-1) failed for the third time in 21 save opportunities.

D’backs 2, Dodgers 0

Los Angeles — Rookie Brandon Webb and Matt Mantei combined on a three-hitter, and Luis Gonzalez homered twice. Webb (10-7) struck out five and walked three in eight innings. He retired 14 of his last 15 batters and didn’t allow a hit after Jeromy Burnitz had a one-out single in the fourth inning. Mantei pitched the ninth for his 25th save in 28 chances. Dodgers rookie Edwin Jackson (1-1) gave up two runs on five hits.