Braves continue hot June, collect sixth straight victory

NEW YORK -- Pinch-hitter Keith Lockhart lined a leadoff home run in the ninth inning and the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 3-2 Monday night for their sixth straight victory.

The Braves improved to 17-4 in June behind a solid effort from starter Kevin Millwood and the majors' best bullpen. Julio Franco also homered for Atlanta.

The Mets began a big week -- four games against the Braves and three against the Yankees -- by dropping 8 1/2 games behind Atlanta in the NL East.

Lockhart was only 2-for-28 as a pinch-hitter this season when he batted for Jesse Garcia. Lockhart fell behind 0-2 against Scott Strickland (6-4) but came back on the eighth pitch of the at-bat for his fifth career pinch-homer.

Lockhart quickly circled the bases after his drive to right field while Strickland stayed in a prolonged crouch on the mound.

Kevin Gryboski (2-1) pitched a scoreless eighth and John Smoltz pitched the ninth for his 24th save.

Cubs 6, Reds 4

CHICAGO -- Delino DeShields hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning as Chicago handed Cincinnati its eighth straight loss.

Trailing 2-1 in the seventh, the Cubs took control of the game in the seventh with an RBI double by Roosevelt Brown off Scott Williamson (2-2) and DeShields' third homer.

Chicago added two runs in the eighth on an RBI single by Bill Mueller and a sacrifice fly by Angel Echevarria. The Cubs have won three straight games.

Jeff Fassero (2-5) got two outs for the win. Antonio Alfonseca pitched the ninth, allowing a sacrifice fly to Reggie Taylor that just missed being a game-tying home run.

Phillies 15, Marlins 4

MIAMI -- Ricky Ledee had a career-high four hits, hiking his average from .140 to .190, and Vicente Padilla pitched five innings for his 10th victory as Philadelphia beat Florida.

Pat Burrell and Mike Lieberthal each homered and drove in four runs.

Padilla (10-4) was taken out as a precaution after bruising his right arm when hit by a pitch.

-- From wire reports