NEW YORK, 15 August 2003 — Catcher Mike Piazza returned to New York’s line-up with a bang, homering and singling twice to plate five runs to lead the Mets to a 9-2 rout of the San Francisco Giants in the National League on Wednesday.

Piazza took loser Jerome Williams (5-3) deep in the third, his eighth homer of an injury-plagued season.

The 10 times All-Star has been sidelined since mid-May with a strained right groin. He told reporters he could hardly sleep in anticipation of his return.

Steve Trachsel (11-7) worked 7 2/3 innings for the win. He scattered eight hits while striking out four.

Braves 7 Padres 1

In Atlanta, the Braves were quick to make amends for Tuesday’s 14-4 loss to San Diego, scoring twice in the opening inning on the way to a 7-1 trouncing of the Padres.

The Padres, who pounded out a club record 24 hits Tuesday, picked up only four this time. Atlanta collected 14, 11 off loser Kevin Jarvis (4-5).

Cubs 6 Astros 4

In Chicago, Moises Alou belted a three-run homer against his former team as the Cubs rallied to defeat the first-place Houston Astros 6-4. Alou’s fifth-inning blast enabled the Cubs to close within 1 1/2 games of the Astros in the NL Central. Rookie starter Jeriome Robertson (11-6) took the loss, the win going to Cubs reliever Mark Guthrie (1-3), who retired two batters to set the stage for Alou’s game-winner.

Phillies 11 Brewers 4

In Philadelphia, Jim Thome’s three-run, first-inning shot set the Phillies up for an 11-4 triumph over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Thome took loser Ben Sheets (10-10) deep before Sheets had retired a batter. He added a second homer in the eighth off reliever Mike DeJean. Bobby Abreu plated three more Philadelphia runs with a single and double.

Pirates 6 Cardinals 5

In Pittsburgh, Craig Wilson homered twice and Reggie Sanders added another as the Pirates struck late to edge the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5. But it was pinch-hitter Randall Simon’s ninth-inning single off closer Pedro Borbon (0-1) that proved the game-winner. Julian Tavarez (2-3) worked three innings in relief to seize the victory. Albert Pujols extended his hitting streak to a major league best 27 games with a sixth-inning homer for the Cards.

Diamondbacks 3 Reds 1

In Cincinnati, Luis Gonzalez’s eighth-inning homer with a man aboard plated the deciding runs as the Arizona Diamondbacks triumphed 3-1 to pick up their 16th straight win over the Reds. Gonzalez tagged loser Felix Heredia (5-2), the third of four Cincinnati pitchers. Stephen Randolph (7-0) was the beneficiary of Gonzalez’s blast, recording the victory with an inning in relief.

Marlins 2 Dodgers 1 (11 innings)

In Miami, back-up Mike Mordecai took Victor Alvarez (0-1) deep in the second extra inning to give the Florida Marlins a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It marked the 15th time the wild card-leading Marlins had won in their final at-bats this season.

Expos 6 Rockies 5

In Montreal, Brian Schneider’s three-run, sixth-inning homer was the decisive blow as the Expos twice rallied to edge the Colorado Rockies 6-5. Schneider rocked loser Denny Stark (1-1). Javier Vazquez (10-8) tossed six innings of six-hit ball for the win.