Jonathon Niese and two relievers combined on a six-hitter, David Wright homered despite a broken finger and the New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-0 Saturday. Niese (2-0) allowed five hits and struck out five in 6 2-3 innings. Bobby Parnell got four outs and Jon Rauch pitched the ninth. Wright was 3 for 5, including a long homer on the first pitch he saw after missing three games with a broken right pinkie. Lucas Duda also connected for the Mets, who are off to a surprising 6-2 start. Nationals 4, Reds 1: Edwin Jackson threw a two-hitter for his fifth career complete game and Adam LaRoche added to his unusually strong start with a tiebreaking two-run double, helping the Nationals win their fifth game in a row. Other than a rocky second inning, Jackson (1-0) was as efficient and effective as can be, striking out nine. He retired 16 consecutive batters in one stretch, until walking Chris Heisey leading off the eighth. As if all of that weren't enough, Jackson even singled off Reds starter Homer Bailey (0-2). Cardinals 5, Cubs 1: Lance Lynn pitched effectively into the sixth inning and Yadier Molina had two hits and two RBIs, leading the Cardinals to a win over the Cubs. Lynn (2-0) gave up four hits and one run in 51/3 innings. He struck out five, walked two and lowered his ERA to 1.50. Jon Jay hit his second home run of the season in the seventh off Shawn Camp. Braves 2, Brewers 1: Mike Minor pitched two-hit ball into the eighth inning to give Atlanta's rotation a lift and the Braves survived a ninth-inning scare to beat Shaun Marcum and the Milwaukee Brewers for their fourth straight victory. Craig Kimbrel pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth, striking out pinch-hitter George Kottaras and Mat Gamel for his fourth save. Minor (1-1) recorded 18 consecutive outs after hitting Corey Hart with a pitch to open the second inning. The left-hander did not allow an earned run in 71/3 innings, becoming the first Braves starter this season to get an out after the fifth. He struck out four and walked one in the longest start of his career. Other results: Houston Astros 5, Miami Marlins 4; Colorado Rockies 8, Arizona Diamondbacks 7; San Francisco 4, Pittsburgh 3; LA Dodgers 6, San Diego Pdres 1.
