Reds 7, Mets 0

Cincinnati – Brandon Phillips broke Cincinnati’s record for homers by a second baseman, hitting a two-run shot, his 28th homer, as the Reds ended New York’s five-game winning streak.

Right-hander Tom Shearn (2-0), a 30-year-old rookie relishing his long-awaited trip to the big leagues, gave up only three hits in six innings to a Mets lineup missing five of its regulars.

Phillips homer in the first inning off John Maine (14-9) surpassed Hall of Famer Joe Morgan’s previous club mark for a second baseman. Phillips also homered in his last at-bat on Tuesday night.

Top hitting prospect Joey Votto homered for his first major league hit, helping the Reds emerge from a five-game losing streak that ended all talk of them sneaking back into contention in September.

The Mets headed for home in a good frame of mind.

The NL East leaders got swept in a four-game series in Philadelphia last week, letting the Phillies pull within two games. Instead of getting tight, the Mets got on their best run of the season.

They won five in a row before their loss Wednesday, putting themselves back in control. The Mets’ best winning streak of the season was built upon a top-to-bottom offensive splurge – 46 runs over a six-game span.

Braves 9, Phillies 8

Atlanta – Atlanta pulled out a victory on Matt Diaz’s three-run double with two outs in the ninth inning.

Cubs 8, Dodgers 2

Chicago – Ted Lilly gained his first win in nearly a month.

Nationals 6, Marlins 4

Washington – Wily Mo Pena singled to break a tie.

Giants 5, Rockies 3

Denver – Barry Bonds hit his 762nd home run to back Kevin Correia’s strong outing, and San Francisco beat Coloradoto avoid a sweep.

Brewers 14, Astros 2

Milwaukee – Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Corey Hart each hit a three-run homer, and Milwaukee connected five times in all to beat Houston.

Pirates 8, Cardinals 2

St. Louis – Mark Mulder was no savior in his first outing in more than a year. The left-hander lasted four innings and gave up six runs on eight hits.