Chicago ? Livan Hernandez’s latest win did not come easily.

Hernandez tied a franchise record by winning his 11th straight decision Friday afternoon, leading the Washington Nationals to a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

“It’s not easy,” said Hernandez, who allowed three runs and 10 hits in eight innings. “I want to thank my teammates because the guys playing behind me have my back. I want to do my job, and I’ll continue to do my job. I know how to lose, and I know how to win.”

Washington’s Jose Guillen hit a solo homer in the first inning, his 16th, and Brian Schneider was 3-for-5 with two doubles and helped preserve a one-run lead by picking off the potential tying run at third base with one out in the eighth inning.

Cubs starter Mark Prior (5-2) allowed three runs and six hits, struck out seven and did not walk a batter in five innings in his second start since being activated from the disabled list.

The Cubs’ Derrek Lee homered and tripled, and Jeromy Burnitz had two hits and an RBI, but also was caught off third by Schneider in the eighth, with Todd Hollandsworth, who homered earlier, at the plate.

The Nationals have won four straight.

Hernandez (12-2) struck out three and walked two in joining Dennis Martinez as the only pitchers in franchise history to win 11 consecutive decisions. Martinez did it in 1989.

Dodgers 7, D’backs 0

Los Angeles – Brad Penny pitched three-hit ball over eight innings, and Los Angeles received solo homers from J.D. Drew and rookie Mike Edwards to beat Arizona.

Livian Hernandez delivers for Washington against Chicago. The Nationals defeated the Cubs, 4-3, Friday in Chicago.

Mets 7, Marlins 6

New York – Chris Woodward hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning, and New York beat Florida despite blowing a late three-run lead. With the score tied 6-all, Marlon Anderson led off the eighth for the Mets with a double over Florida center fielder Juan Pierre’s head. He advanced on a sacrifice by Ramon Castro and scored on Woodward’s single off Jim Mecir (1-3) to put the Mets back out in front.

Giants 3, Padres 2

San Diego – Todd Linden scored on Khalil Greene’s throwing error with one out in the eighth inning to give San Francisco a victory over San Diego, the Giants’ fourth straight victory.

Brewers 8, Pirates 4

Milwaukee – Rickie Weeks hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the seventh to give Milwaukee a come-from-behind victory over Pittsburgh. The news was not all good for the Brewers, though, as left fielder Carlos Lee left in the second inning because of a left knee contusion. Lee, who leads the majors with 72 RBIs, skidded to a stop chasing a foul ball.

Cardinals 6, Rockies 0

St. Louis – Chris Carpenter carried a five-hitter into the eighth inning and became the major leagues’ fourth 12-game winner as St. Louis beat Colorado. Albert Pujols homered in the first to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, and Carpenter contributed a sacrifice fly for the Cardinals, who rebounded from a shutout loss in the series opener and improved to 50-29.

Braves 9, Phillies 1

Philadelphia – John Smoltz won his fifth straight start, and Andruw Jones and Kelly Johnson each hit three-run homers to lead Atlanta over Philadelphia. Smoltz (9-5) continued his run of brilliant starts, improving to 5-0 with three complete games in his last five starts. The 38-year-old Smoltz went 5-1 with a 2.50 earned-run average in June with complete games in his last two starts.

Astros 10, Reds 7

Cincinnati – Flattened by a fastball that barely missed his head, Morgan Ensberg got up and hit the next pitch into the upper deck for a three-run homer, leading Houston over Cincinnati. Ensberg also had a pair of doubles.