San Francisco ? The San Diego Padres are on their way to the best month in franchise history, and their impeccable relievers have been a big reason for it.

The Giants can only dream of such relief.

Phil Nevin hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Padres rallied against San Francisco’s beleaguered bullpen for a 5-3 victory Saturday.

San Diego’s bullpen put on another show as the Padres won their 19th game in May, tying the franchise record for victories in a month.

Rudy Seanez (3-0) struck out the side in the seventh on 13 pitches. Scott Linebrink pitched a perfect eighth to extend his scoreless streak to 112â3 innings. Trevor Hoffman allowed his first run in May, but struck out Michael Tucker with two runners on for his 12th straight save.

Both clubs are aware relief pitching is a big strength for San Diego – and a big liability for the Giants.

“We talked about it in the dugout,” Nevin said. “You like our chances with our bullpen going against anybody else’s. Not to say anything bad about their bullpen, but we’ve had some great performances out of those guys all year.”

Cubs 5, Rockies 1

Chicago – Derrek Lee hit two homers for the second straight game and the fourth time this season, leading the injury-plagued Chicago Cubs to a victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Lee, the NL home run leader with 16, slugged a solo shot in the first and added a two-run homer in the Cubs’ four-run sixth. Lee has 13 career multihomers games and he has accomplished the feat on consecutive days twice.

Aramis Ramirez added a two-run shot off Colorado starter Byung-Hyun Kim.

Phillies 12, Braves 5

Atlanta – Jason Michaels homered and drove in a career-high five runs, and Pat Burrell had three RBIs in his return to the Philadelphia lineup.

Burrell missed the Phillies’ win Friday because of a sore left wrist but went 2-for-4 Saturday despite having it heavily wrapped.

Mets 6, Marlins 1

Miami – Mike Piazza had three hits and three RBIs – his first since May 9 – and Kazuhisa Ishii allowed one run in 62â3 innings to help New York defeat Dontrelle Willis.

San Diego's Phil Nevin, left, is congratulated by Brian Giles after hitting a three-run homer Saturday in the Padres' 5-3 victory.

Miguel Cairo had three of New York’s 14 hits and scored three runs, Cliff Floyd scored twice, and Ishii added an RBI single for the Mets, who won the first three games of the four-game series after getting swept three straight at Atlanta.

Pirates 9, Reds 2

Cincinnati – Dave Williams allowed only one hit in seven innings, and Jason Bay hit a two-run home run in Pittsburgh’s four-run first.

Ty Wigginton hit a two-run shot in the second, and Humberto Cota added a solo homer off Eric Milton in the third to boost Pittsburgh’s lead to 7-0.

Astros 9, Brewers 6

Milwaukee – Wandy Rodriguez got his first major-league victory, and Houston ruined the return of Ben Sheets to the Brewers rotation.

The Astros won for just the fourth time in 26 road games and Rodriguez (1-1) won in his second major-league start.

It was fueled by an error on Milwaukee second baseman Junior Spivey that led to a four-run first inning and an uncharacteristically bad outing by the Brewers’ bullpen.

Cardinals 3, Nationals 1

St. Louis – Jeff Suppan allowed four hits in seven dominant innings, and Jim Edmonds homered for the second straight game, helping St. Louis to its fifth straight victory. Yadier Molina had a two-run homer for the Cardinals, who will try to complete a perfect six-game homestand today.

D’backs 5, Dodgers 4

Phoenix – Giovanni Carrara walked Kelly Stinnett with the bases loaded in the ninth inning, giving Arizona a wild comeback victory over Los Angeles.

Diamondbacks pitcher Javier Vazquez homered in the seventh to tie the game at 4.