San Juan, Puerto Rico ? Carl Pavano was determined to keep the shutout streak going for Florida.

Pavano and a pair of relievers combined to blank Montreal, 3-0, Thursday, extending the Marlins’ scoreless string to a team-record 30 innings.

“I wasn’t going to be the one to go out there and mess up our rhythm,” Pavano said.

The World Series champions shut out the Expos in all three games of the series. Montreal was held to three hits as its scoreless string reached a club-record 33 innings.

The last time a team swept a three-game series with shutouts was 1995, when Baltimore did it against Detroit.

Pavano (1-0) recalled riding on the team bus after Wednesday’s 9-0 win and getting razzed by Brad Penny, who threw eight scoreless innings in the opening game of the series in Puerto Rico.

“Penny told me yesterday, ‘No pressure, 23 scoreless innings,'” Pavano quipped.

Pavano added that the way the Marlins’ pitchers had been hitting — Dontrelle Willis was 3-for-3 with a homer Wednesday — there was more pressure for them to get hits.

Pavano, who was 1-for-2 at the plate, conceded that the shutout streak would not last forever.

“So as long as it does last, let’s enjoy it,” he said.

Pavano gave up three hits in seven innings, and Chad Fox and Armando Benitez finished up. The previous shutout record for the Marlins was 27 innings, compiled in four games between July 29-Aug. 1, 1997.

Darren Oliver, who gets the next start today in Atlanta, said he did not want to be the guy to allow a run.

“I hope I can keep it going. We’re just hot right now,” Oliver said.

Manager Jack McKeon said his pitching staff was making a good case to be considered among the best in baseball.

“This staff is underrated,” McKeon said. “As far as maturing and reaching a new level, these guys are fast becoming one of the better staffs in baseball.”

Phillies 6, Reds 4

Philadelphia — Mike Lieberthal hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, rallying Philadelphia for its first win at Citizens Bank Park.

Rheal Cormier (2-2) pitched a scoreless eighth for the win. Billy Wagner worked the ninth for his second save.

Ryan Wagner (0-1) gave up a bloop RBI single to Pat Burrell in the eighth before Lieberthal homered.

Cubs 10, Pirates 5

Chicago — Michael Barrett connected twice in the first multihomer game of his career, Aramis Ramirez homered for a second straight day, and Chicago pounded Josh Fogg.

Moises Alou also homered for the Cubs, who won two straight for the first time this year. Carlos Zambrano (1-0) scattered six hits and one run over six innings.

Craig Wilson, Jack Wilson, Humberto Cota homered for Pittsburgh. It was Cota’s first career home run.

The Cubs took Fogg (0-2) deep four times in just four innings.

D’backs 11, Rockies 10

Denver — Richie Sexson and Shea Hillenbrand each homered and drove in three runs, helping Arizona end a five-game losing streak. Matt Mantei got the final four outs, striking out the side in the ninth for his second save. Mike Koplove (1-1) worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth to earn the win. Sexson hit a two-run homer in the first off Scott Elarton (0-2).

Mets 4, Braves 0

New York — Al Leiter got a big boost from the bullpen in his first win of the season for New York. Leiter (1-0) extended his scoreless streak to 101/3 innings to start the season. Rookie Orber Moreno pitched a perfect eighth, and Braden Looper worked a perfect ninth.

Brewers 6, Astros 2

Houston — Ben Sheets breezed through five innings of Milwaukee’s win before leaving because of a stiff lower back. Sheets (2-0) gave up four hits and two runs in his eighth straight win over Houston, but didn’t come out for the sixth inning. He is listed as day to day. Tim Redding (0-2) allowed six runs — three earned — on six hits and two walks.

Dodgers 7, Padres 5

San Diego — Alex Cora tripled, doubled and scored two runs, and Los Angeles rallied from a three-run deficit. Mark Loretta hit the first home run for San Diego in six games at Petco Park, and Phil Nevin added another homer to get the Padres off to a 2-0 start in the first inning. Hideo Nomo (2-1) settled down after giving up the early homers to pick up the win.