MILWAUKEE, 9 June 2005 — Ben Sheets tossed seven-shutout inning to post his first win since opening day as the Milwaukee Brewers sent the New York Yankees to their ninth loss in 10 games with a 2-1 victory in Interleague play at Miller Park on Tuesday.

A two-run second-inning blast from Bill Hall was all the offense the Brewers needed as Sheets and a sharp bullpen tamed the punchless Yankees.

Sheets (2-5) gave up just two singles in seven sparkling innings, striking out five and walking five to snap a personal five-game losing streak.

Ricky Bottalico pitched a scoreless eighth before turning over the mound to Derrick Turnbow, who gave up a run in the ninth but held on for his 10th save.

Carl Pavano (4-5) provided New York with six strong inning, giving up just two runs on five hits but took the loss as his teammates once again provided little in run support.

In St. Louis, Jim Edmonds belted a two-run homer and Reggie Sanders added a solo shot, powering the Cardinals past the Boston Red Sox 9-2 in a rematch of last year’s World Series.

Cardinals starter Jeff Suppan (5-5), a former Red Sox, stifled his old team mates, allowing just two-runs on six hits in six innings of work.

In Pittsburgh, Daryle Ward had a three-run blast and Jack Wilson added a solo shot as the Pirates rallied for four runs in the eight inning to snatch a 6-5 win from the Baltimore Orioles. Spotting the Orioles a 5-0 lead, the Pirates answered with two-runs in the sixth before Ward’s three-run shot to deep right tied the contest and Wilson homered to deep left with the winning run.

In Philadelphia, Bobby Abreu smacked a two-run homer and Placido Polanco drove in three runs to lead the Phillies to an 8-5 victory over the Texas Rangers. Phillies starter Jon Lieber (8-4) took credit for the win, giving up four runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings.

In Atlanta, Horacio Ramirez delivered eight sharp innings and Rafael Furcal belted a solo homerun as the Braves edged the Los Angeles Angels 3-2.

In Washington, Nick Johnson cracked a two-run homer and Tony Armas delivered six solid innings as the Nationals posted their fifth straight win, taking a 2-1 decision from the Oakland Athletics.

In Miami, Raul Ibanez hit a solo home run and Randy Winn had three hits as the Seattle Mariners slipped past the slumping Florida Marlins 4-3 for their third straight win. In Cincinnati, Randy Keisler tossed 6 1/3 innings of one-run relief and had his first career home run as the Reds rallied to beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 9-7. Ken Griffey Jr and Joe Randa also homered as the Red snapped a five-game losing streak.

In Chicago, Aaron Hill drove in a pair of runs and scored another, helping the Toronto Blue Jays to a 6-4 win over the Cubs.

Scott Schoeneweis (2-1) took credit for the win, pitching 2/3 innings of relief while Todd Wellemeyer (1-1) was credited with the loss.

In Denver, Jose Contreras combined with two relievers on a five-hitter and Jermaine Dye and A.J. Pierzynski each drove in a run, leading the Chicago White Sox to a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rockies.

In San Francisco, D.J. Carrasco pitched a complete game five-hitter and Tony Graffanino hit a solo homer and drove in two runs as the Kansas City Royals pounded the Giants 8-1.

In Phoenix, Torii Hunter had two home runs and Jacque Jones singled in the winning run in the ninth inning, lifting the Minnesota Twins to a 9-8 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In Los Angeles, Dmitri Young, Ivan Rodriquez and Tony Giarratano all had home runs, powering the Detroit Tigers to an 8-4 win over the Dodgers.

In San Diego, starter Cliff Lee combined with five relievers for an eight-hit 11-inning shutout as the Cleveland Indians blanked the Padres 2-0.

Martinez Flirts With No-Hitter as Mets Drop Astros

Pedro Martinez carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning as he led the New York Mets to a 3-1 win over the Houston Astros in National League play at Shea Stadium on Tuesday.

Retiring the first nine batters he faced, Martinez was untouchable until the seventh, when Astros rookie Chris Burke drove a 1-1 pitch over the wall in deep centre for his first career home run.