HOUSTON, 25 May 2003 — Jose Vizcaino’s first homer of the season, a three-run shot, was the highlight of a six-run first inning which led the Houston Astros to a 7-5 win over the Chicago Cubs in the National League on Friday.

Orlando Merced had a two-run single in the first as the Astros moved within 1/2 game of the first-place Cubs in the NL Central. The Astros roughed up Mark Prior (5-2) for the early six-run blitz. Prior allowed those six runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked three.

Scott Linebrink (1-1) went five innings for the win, allowing four runs on eight hits. He struck out two and walked two.

Billy Wagner gave up a run on three hits in the ninth but still picked up his 13th save. Jeff Kent also drove in two runs for the Astros while Morgan Ensberg had two hits and scored a pair of runs.

Phillies 4 Expos 2

In Montreal, Bobby Abreu recorded a two-run homer in the third inning to help the Philadelphia Phillies defeat the Expos 4-2. Placido Polanco added a solo homer in the sixth and Kevin Millwood (7-1) won his fifth straight decision by holding the Expos to two runs and six hits in seven innings.

Marlins 8 Reds 4

In Cincinnati, Ivan Rodriguez hit an RBI double that sparked a five-run first inning as the Florida Marlins overcame the Reds 8-4.

Tommy Phelps (1-0) picked up his first major league win by holding the Reds to one run and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Brian Banks had three hits, including an eighth-inning homer, while Mike Lowell clubbed a solo shot in the ninth.

Mets 6 Braves 5

In Atlanta, Jeromy Burnitz hit a grand slam in the sixth inning to give the New York Mets a 6-5 win over the Braves.

Steve Trachsel (3-2) allowed four runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings before Armando Benitez closed the game with his 14th save of the season.

Dodgers 6 Brewers 4

In Milwaukee, Shawn Green smacked a three-run homer in the seventh inning to steer the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-4 triumph over the Brewers.

Odalis Perez (4-2) won his third straight start, holding the Brewers to four runs and nine hits in six innings. Guillermo Mota worked the final three for his first save of the season. Royce Clayton gave the Brewers a two-run lead in the second inning with his sixth homer of the season.

Cardinals 10 Pirates 8

In Pittsburgh, JD Drew drove in the winning run with a triple in the 10th inning to give the St. Louis Cardinals a 10-8 victory over the Pirates. Jim Edmonds had a solo homer for the Cards while Tino Martinez and Scott Rolen each had three-run blasts. Cal Eldred (3-1) claimed the win after giving up one run and two hits in the ninth and Jeff Fassero worked a perfect 10th for his second save of the season.

Rockies 10 Giants 7

In Denver, Todd Helton was four-for-five with a homer and drove in four runs to pace the Colorado Rockies to a 10-7 win over the San Francisco Giants. Jose Hernandez belted a three-run homer in the first inning and Chris Stynes added a solo shot in the fifth. Shawn Chacon (6-2) allowed four runs and nine hits in five innings for the Rockies, who snapped a three-game skid.

Diamondbacks 5 Padres 3

In Phoenix, Danny Bautista had a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-3 triumph over the San Diego Padres. Mike Koplove (2-0) pitched a perfect eighth for the win and Matt Mantei closed the game with his seventh save of the season. Jason Bay, playing in his first major league game, hit a solo homer in the ninth.