Pittsburg ? Paul Maholm pitched 62â3 shutout innings, Jason Bay and Joe Randa hit consecutive homers, and the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates finished off a three-game sweep of division leader St. Louis, beating the Cardinals, 7-0, Sunday.

Maholm (5-10) became the latest left-hander to give the Cardinals problems, allowing eight hits but getting key outs when needed in the third consecutive effective start by a young Pirates starter in the series. Zach Duke pitched a complete game in winning 7-1 Friday, and Ian Snell lasted seven innings in a 3-2 decision Saturday night.

The Cardinals looked to build on their NL Central lead when the weekend began after winning 19 of their previous 25 against the Pirates the last two seasons, only to be swept in a three-game series in PNC Park for the second time since 2004. They have lost five of six, 13 of 17 and are two games under .500 since the All-Star break.

The Cardinals have lost eight of their last nine to left-handers, including Duke and Maholm in the Pirates’ series, and 10 of 12 over the last month.

Mets 3, Nationals 1

Washington – Michael Tucker hit a solo home run on the only pitch he saw to break an eighth-inning tie and lift the Mets. Alfonso Soriano hit his 38th homer for Washington and the 200th of his career. Tucker’s first homer of the season came off Jon Rauch (3-3).

Braves 7, Brewers 4

Atlanta – Brian McCann homered and drove in four runs to help the Braves. Chipper Jones, returning from the disabled list, hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the seventh, and Jeff Francoeur hit his 22nd homer for Atlanta.

Reds 7, Phillies 5, 11 innings

Philadelphia – Juan Castro and Ken Griffey Jr. drove in runs in the 11th inning for Cincinnati. Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard hit a two-out RBI single in the ninth to tie it at 5. He earlier hit his 41st home run, matching him with Boston’s David Ortiz for the major-league lead.

Padres 7, Astros 2

Houston – Woody Williams pitched seven strong innings in another successful homecoming, leading the Padres.

Cubs 8, Rockies 7

Denver – Pinch-hitter Ryan Theriot hit a three-run double in the eighth inning, and the Cubs overcame 10 walks to snap a four-game losing streak. Garrett Atkins hit a grand slam for Colorado.

Marlins 6, Diamondbacks 5

Phoenix – Miguel Cabrera hit his 18th homer and drove in four runs during his seventh consecutive multihit game for the Marlins.

Dodgers 1, Giants 0 (10)

Los Angeles – Russell Martin homered to lead off the 10th inning after Greg Maddux and Jason Schmidt matched zeros for eight innings.