San Diego ? Javier Vazquez is happy to be back in the National League, and the results are starting to show.

Vazquez pitched a six-hitter for his first complete game in two seasons and won his third game in a row as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the San Diego Padres, 5-2, Sunday.

Vazquez (3-2), who held San Diego scoreless until the seventh, struck out eight and walked none as he won his third straight start after three difficult outings at the start of the season.

“I know all the (NL) teams really well,” said Vazquez, acquired from the New York Yankees in the Randy Johnson trade. “It was tough in the American League because I didn’t know the players as well. It’s nice to be back.”

Vazquez threw the 17th complete game of his major-league career, the first since a three-hit shutout for Montreal against San Francisco on Aug. 18, 2003.

Vazquez was 14-10 with a 4.91 earned-run average in his only season in the AL with the Yankees. He spent his first six seasons with the Expos.

In winning each of his last three starts, all on the road, Vazquez has allowed just four earned runs in 24 innings, lowering his ERA to 5.11.

Braves 2, Cardinals 1

Atlanta — John Smoltz scattered nine hits for his second straight victory, and the Braves made the most of their four hits off Jeff Suppan.

Smoltz (2-3) walked a season-high four in 61/3 innings. He never retired the side in order, but kept pitching out of trouble, twice getting Scott Rolen to strand a total of five runners.

Dan Kolb, who picked up his first win for Atlanta on Saturday, worked the ninth for his seventh save in eight tries.

Suppan (2-3) pitched seven strong innings, but the high-scoring St. Louis offense was shut down again by the Braves’ pitching.

Giants 8, Pirates 3

Pittsburgh — Moises Alou and Lance Niekro hit two-run homers, and the Giants used rookie Brad Hennessey’s solid start to finish off a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh’s left-handed starters. The Giants won their sixth in a row after dropping nine of 11. The three-game sweep in Pittsburgh was their first since May 10-12, 1996. With Oliver Perez (1-3) making yet another poor start, the Pirates lost their ninth in 13 games and are off to a terrible start at home for the second straight season.

Phillies 8, Marlins 6

Philadelphia — Bobby Abreu hit a three-run homer, and Philadelphia jumped on Florida’s Josh Beckett for five runs in the first inning. Billy Wagner got five outs for his sixth save in as many chances. Beckett (4-2) labored from the start, requiring 51 pitches to get through the opening frame. In his previous five starts, Beckett had allowed five earned runs in 33 innings. The Phillies needed just eight batters to hang five runs on the Marlins starter.

Brewers 13, Reds 3

Milwaukee — Lyle Overbay had a career-high five hits, including a three-run homer, and Doug Davis pitched a five-hitter to lead the Brewers to their fourth straight victory. Overbay, who homered twice Friday, has a nine-game hitting streak and 17 hits in his last 34 at-bats. Milwaukee, which entered with a .231 batting average, 15th among the 16 NL teams, had its most runs and hits (19) since June 27, 2003, at Minnesota.

Astros 9, Cubs 3

Houston — Mike Lamb hit his first career grand slam and drove in five runs, and the Astros roughed up Mark Prior to offset the loss of Roy Oswalt to a foot injury. Adam Everett also had a three-run shot in a seven-run fifth off Prior (3-1) as the Astros closed the series against their Central rivals with consecutive victories after losing six straight. Houston, which entered 29th in the majors in runs, needed the outburst because Oswalt (4-2) got off to a shaky start, then left in the sixth because of a sprained right foot.

Dodgers 2, Rockies 1

Los Angeles — Derek Lowe pitched six strong innings, and Jeff Kent drove in both runs, leading the Dodgers to a victory that completed a three-game sweep. Lowe (2-2) allowed a run, five hits and no walks in six innings, helping send Colorado to its fifth straight loss. Yhency Brazoban, the fourth Los Angeles pitcher, got three outs for his eighth save in nine attempts.

Mets 6, Nationals 3

Washington– Carlos Beltran went 3-for-5 with two doubles, including one that drove in two runs in the ninth, and the Mets came back to end a four-game losing streak. Roberto Hernandez (2-0) came on for Mets starter Aaron Heilman in the seventh and threw two innings of scoreless, two-hit relief.