Chicago ? Mark Prior’s previous appearance against the Florida Marlins at Wrigley Field turned into one of the most agonizing losses in Chicago Cubs’ history.

That was 11 months ago, when the Marlins scored eight runs in the eighth inning to win Game 6 of the NL championship series, then won the pennant the next night.

Prior was back on the mound Friday, and the Cubs needed a win for a doubleheader split that would keep them from sinking in the NL wild-card race.

“I don’t think it was make or break for us, per se. If we had lost two, we could have found ourselves in a very deep hole and would have to kind of dig out of it,” Prior said after pitching the Cubs to an 11-2 victory.

Chicago started the day a half game behind Houston and San Francisco in the wild-card race, and the defending World Series champion Marlins were two back.

“The dynamics of this race are that there are five teams, so you can’t get too far behind and you can’t have too many people in front of you,” Prior said.

Moises Alou and Aramis Ramirez hit back-to-back homers in the second game after Carl Pavano pitched a seven-hit shutout in Florida’s 7-0 victory in the opener. Pavano recorded his 17th victory.

“It was important for them not to come into our house and sweep us,” Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. “Very rarely do you see reverse blowouts like today.”

After getting blanked for the second straight game in a a miserable opening performance that had the Wrigley Field crowd booing — the Cubs made three errors and let another catchable ball fall in the outfield — Chicago responded with a season-high 18 hits in the second game.

Florida catcher Paul Lo Duca, left, celebrates with pitcher Carl Pavano after Pavano tossed a shutout against the Cubs in the first game of a doubleheader. The Marlins won the first game, 7-0, but dropped the second, 11-2, Friday in Chicago.

Friday’s doubleheader served as makeup of one game of a three-game set that was wiped out by Hurricane Frances last weekend in Miami. The teams also must play a doubleheader Sept. 20 in Miami.

Prior (5-4) benefited from the second-game offense that included four hits from Neifi Perez, just called up from the minors last week, and three by backup catcher Paul Bako. Prior gave up two runs and nine hits in a season-high eight innings, struck out eight and walked none.

The Cubs quickly hit 22-year-old rookie Logan Kensing, three days after he was called up from Class A. He lasted just two-plus innings as he lost in his major-league debut, giving up five runs and eight hits.

Dodgers 7, Cardinals 6

Los Angeles — Steve Finley drove in the go-ahead run for the third consecutive game, hitting a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the seventh inning to lead Los Angeles over St. Louis in a matchup of division leaders. Adrian Beltre hit his major-league-leading 45th homer, a three-run drive.

D’backs 2, Giants 1

Phoenix — Randy Johnson finally was rewarded for a standout performance thanks to Doug DeVore’s two-run homer, and Arizona snapped a seven-game losing streak with a victory over San Francisco.

Barry Bonds, who remained two shy of 700 home runs, was nailed by a 95 mph fastball from Johnson in the fourth inning, then singled and scored on Yorvit Torrealba’s seventh-inning single for a 1-0 lead.

Padres 10, Rockies 4

Denver — Khalil Greene and Ryan Klesko each hit three-run homers, and San Diego took advantage of another shaky outing by Colorado’s bullpen. Starter Brian Lawrence kept San Diego close, and Greene provided the big blow in the seventh inning.

Braves 4, Expos 3

Atlanta — Johnny Estrada hit a three-run homer, and Atlanta snapped a three-game losing streak with a victory over Montreal.

Phillies 9, Mets 5

New York — Jason Michaels went 4-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs to lead Philadelphia past New York. Placido Polanco also homered, and Jimmy Rollins hit a two-run single for the Phillies, who got another dominant effort from their bullpen to win their fourth straight and seventh in eight games. David Bell had three hits, including two doubles, and reached base four times.

Pirates 6, Astros 1

Pittsburgh — Rookie John Van Benschoten allowed five hits in eight innings for his first major-league win, and Pittsburgh defeated Houston. Houston, which had won 12 straight before losing the opener of Thursday’s doubleheader, has lost two of three for the first time since Aug. 20-22 against the Chicago Cubs.

Reds 6, Brewers 4

Cincinnati — Wily Mo Pena homered for the second straight night, and Cincinnati snapped a four-game losing streak.