Marlins snap Millwood streak in a 5-1 victory

MIAMI -- Mike Lowell hit a two-run double and Brad Penny pitched into the seventh inning to help the Florida Marlins snap Kevin Millwood's eight-game winning streak with a 5-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.

Atlanta had won 19 of Millwood's last 20 starts. The right-hander was 8-0 with a 1.80 ERA in his last nine outings and 15-1 with a 2.27 ERA in 22 starts since May 24.

The Marlins prevented Millwood (17-7) from tying his career-best winning streak of nine games set in 2000. He was lifted after five innings after giving up seven hits and five runs.

Florida's Kevin Millar doubled in the fourth to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 22 games, tying the second-longest mark in club history. It trails only Luis Castillo's 35-game string earlier this season.

Lowell doubled with the bases loaded in the fifth, extending his streak to 14 games and giving the Marlins a 5-1 lead.

That was enough for Penny, who won for the first time in five starts and just the second time in eight outings.

Reds 4, Pirates 3

PITTSBURGH -- Reggie Taylor's third single of the game broke an eighth-inning tie and helped the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Reds avoided mathematical elimination from the NL Central race with their sixth win in nine games.

Jason LaRue drew a one-out walk from Mike Lincoln (1-4) in the eighth. Pinch-hitter Ken Griffey Jr. beat the Pirates' defensive shift by chopping a single through the vacant shortstop position, sending LaRue to third.

Taylor then lined a single to center off Ron Villone, who had come in to face Griffey. Taylor was 3-for-5, drove in two runs and scored one.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Indians 7-1, Red Sox 1-6

BOSTON -- Brian Tallet pitched six shutout innings in his major league debut and Travis Fryman hit a three-run homer to lift the Indians.

Boston's loss cut the New York Yankees' magic number in the AL East to four.

In the opener, Pedro Martinez (19-4) pitched five scoreless innings as Boston won 6-1.

Tallet (1-0) allowed four hits. Nomar Garciaparra and Manny Ramirez were among five Red Sox regulars who did not play in the nightcap.

The Indians chased Frank Castillo (5-15) in the sixth on RBI singles by Lee Stevens and Fryman. Castillo has lost his last eight decisions.

Martinez improved to 9-1 lifetime against Cleveland and continued his pursuit of his second career 20-win season and fourth Cy Young Award.

Blue Jays 2, Orioles 0

BALTIMORE -- Pete Walker (9-4) pitched four-hit ball for seven innings, and Josh Phelps homered and drove in two runs as Toronto won for the seventh time in eight games.

The Orioles were denied their first successive victories since Aug. 22-23. Baltimore, which has lost 20 of 23, was shut out for the 14th time this season.

Kelvim Escobar worked a perfect ninth for his 34th save.

Sidney Ponson (7-7) allowed six hits in his third complete game of the season.

Tigers 5, Royals 2

DETROIT -- Carlos Pena hit a three-run homer, sending Mike Maroth and Detroit over Kansas City.

Damian Jackson hit a two-run single for the Tigers, who won for only the fifth time in 25 games. The Royals, who are 3-11 this month, lead Detroit by four games in the race to avoid last place in the AL Central.

Maroth (6-8) snapped a three-start losing streak, giving up two runs and six hits in eight innings. Franklyn German pitched the ninth for his first career save.

Darrell May (4-10) allowed three runs and six hits in six innings.

-- From wire reports