St. Louis ? Greg Maddux threw seven scoreless innings, giving him victories in his first four starts for the first time in his career, and the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-3, on Sunday.

Maddux (4-0) held the Cardinals to five hits and also singled, helping the Cubs avert a three-game sweep and win for the first time in three games since losing Derrek Lee for at least two months because of a broken wrist. This is the first 4-0 start for Maddux since 2000 with the Braves when he needed six starts, and it’s his first four-game winning streak since July 17-Aug. 7, 2004.

Jacque Jones hit his second homer, and second against the Cardinals, leading off the fourth against Jason Marquis (3-1).

Astros 7, Pirates 2

Houston – Morgan Ensberg and Craig Biggio homered, Roy Oswalt went seven innings, and the Astros won their third straight game. Houston scored four runs in the first inning against Pirates starter Paul Maholm (0-3). Oswalt (4-0) allowed six hits and one run with seven strikeouts in his 150th career start.

Phillies 4, Marlins 2

Philadelphia – Ryan Howard homered twice, and Brett Myers pitched six solid innings to lead the Phillies to a much-needed victory at home. Myers (2-0) scattered six hits, struck out five and walked three.

Reds 11, Brewers 0

Milwaukee – Aaron Harang (3-1) pitched a five-hitter, and Brandon Phillips drove in four runs for Cincinnati.

Rockies 3, Giants 2,

10 innings

Denver – Miguel Ojeda’s RBI single off Jeff Fassero with two outs in the 10th inning lifted the Rockies.

Padres 7, Mets 4

San Diego – Brian Giles hit a grand slam, and the Padres salvaged a split of their four-game series with the Mets. San Diego starter Clay Hensley (1-1) worked 51â3 innings.

Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 4

Los Angeles – J.D. Drew homered and Bill Mueller drove in two runs for the Dodgers.

Braves 3, Nationals 1

Washington – Wilson Betemit hit a three-run homer in the eighth to lift Atlanta.