New York ? The New York Mets ended nearly two decades of disappointment in their division and days of delay, clinching the NL East for the first time since 1988 with a 4-0 victory over the Florida Marlins on Monday night.

Jose Valentin, one of their unexpected stars, homered twice and Steve Trachsel, their longest-tenured player, combined with three relievers on a four-hitter.

Fireworks shot off from behind the center-field wall when Cliff Floyd caught Josh Willingham’s fly ball to left for the final out. The Mets rushed to the center of the diamond to celebrate, hugging near shortstop.

Astros 5, Reds 3

Houston – Roy Oswalt pitched 62â3 innings to continue his mastery of Cincinnati.

Oswalt (14-8) allowed two runs and eight hits to improve his career record to 17-1 against Cincinnati.

Cubs 11, Phillies 6

Philadelphia – Aramis Ramirez homered twice and drove in a career-best seven runs and Chicago held off Philadelphia.

Ramirez went 4-for-5 and Juan Pierre and Scott Moore hit solo homers for the Cubs, who have the NL’s worst record.

Braves 6, Nationals 1

Washington – Andruw Jones hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the sixth inning and Kyle Davies won for the first time since April 30 to lead Atlanta over Washington.

Brewers 4, Cardinals 3

Milwaukee – Tony Graffanino singled in the winning run in the ninth inning to lift Milwaukee over St. Louis.

Albert Pujols hit a three-run drive for his 46th homer for the Cardinals.

Rockies 20, Giants 8

Denver – Jeff Baker hit two three-run homers, Garrett Atkins also drove in six runs and Justin Hampson won in his first major league start as Colorado beat San Francisco.

The Rockies, who had a season-high 19 hits, tied the club record for runs, reaching 20 for the third time, the last on Sept. 20, 2005, against San Diego.

Hampson (1-0) had made two relief appearances since being called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Sept. 7. He went five innings in his first start, giving up 10 hits and six runs.