NEW YORK — Jordan Lyles won for the first time in two months and the Houston Astros snapped a seven-game skid Friday night with a 3-1 victory over the sluggish New York Mets, giving Tony DeFrancesco his first win as a major league manager. Tyler Greene homered and Lyles knocked in a run with his first career double as the Astros (40-86) improved to 4-0 against the Mets this season. Houston, with the worst record in the majors, won for only the eighth time in its last 51 games. Cubs 5, Rockies 3: Joe Mather hit a go-ahead single during a three-run rally in the eighth inning and Chicago ended a four-game losing streak with a victory over Colorado. The Rockies had matched a season best with a five-game winning streak. Chicago trailed 3-2 going into the eighth before Brett Jackson led off with his second homer of the season. Brewers 6, Pirates 5: Mike Fiers pitched effectively into the seventh inning, Aramis Ramirez had a go-ahead three-run double in the seventh and Milwaukee held on to win its fourth straight. Fiers (7-6) tied a career high with 10 strikeouts. The rookie allowed three runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings. Ramirez went 2 for 4 and scored two runs. He cleared the bases with a two-out double to right-center in the seventh, breaking a 2-2 tie. Ramirez then scored on Corey Hart's single. Phillies 4, Nationals 2: Kyle Kendrick pitched effectively for 6 2-3 innings and Jimmy Rollins drove in two runs to lead Philadelphia. Kendrick (7-9), one of seven pitchers used by Philadelphia, allowed four hits and struck out three to help the Phillies win for the fifth time in the last seven games. Cardinals 8, Reds 5: Allen Craig and Yadier Molina homered during a six-run sixth inning for St. Louis. The Cardinals' big comeback off Mat Latos (10-4) started a 10-day trip against the Reds, Pirates and Nationals. Cincinnati knocked out starter Lance Lynn in the third inning. Joe Kelly (4-5) fanned six in three innings of relief. Jason Motte pitched the ninth for his 30th save in 35 chances. Padres 5, Diamondbacks 0: Eric Stults did it all Friday, tossing seven scoreless innings and driving in three runs as the Padres downed the Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series. Stults (4-2) scattered three hits and one walk and added a two-run single and an RBI double to carry San Diego to a fifth straight victory. Dodgers 11, Marlins 4: The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly on the verge of a blockbuster trade, but their current lineup appeared more than capable Friday in the opener of a three-game series against the Miami Marlins. Andre Ethier, Hanley Ramirez, and Juan Rivera all homered in the 11-4 win for the Dodgers. Giants 5, Braves 3: Angel Pagan registered four hits and finished a home run shy of the cycle, as the San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves in the second test of a four-game series. — Agencies
