MILWAUKEE (AP) - Ben Sheets struck out a franchise-record 18 - the most in the majors in three years - to lead the Milwaukee Brewers over the Atlanta Braves 4-1 Sunday.

It was the most strikeouts by a big league pitcher since Arizona's Randy Johnson tied a major league record with 20 on May 8, 2001, against Cincinnati.

Sheets' previous career high was 10 strikeouts against Houston on April 10 and May 5 against Cincinnati. The previous franchise mark of 14 was set by Moose Haas on April 12, 1978, against the New York Yankees.

With the shadows cutting right across the mound, Sheets (4-2) threw a three-hitter and struck out six of his last seven batters - including all three in the ninth. He threw 116 pitches, 91 for strikes, and walked only one.

Lyle Overbay hit a two-run double off Jaret Wright (2-4) and extended his hitting streak to 17 games for the Brewers, who avoided a three-game sweep.

Andruw Jones homered for Atlanta.

Mets 3, Astros, 2, 13 innings

HOUSTON (AP) - Mike Piazza spoiled Roger Clemens' bid for his eighth straight win with a tying home run in the ninth off Octavio Dotel, and New York beat Houston on Jason Phillips' 13th-inning homer.

After Clemens struck out 10 in seven shutout innings, the Mets rallied in the ninth against Dotel. Eric Valent led off with a double, and two outs later, Piazza hit a 1-2 pitch over the right-center fence to tie it.

Clemens allowed only two hits and singled with the bases loaded in the sixth, the fifth RBI of his career. He lowered his ERA to a major league-leading 1.72.

Piazza went 0-for-2 against his old rival with a strikeout and a walk - the only one Clemens allowed.

Phillips, who has struggled all season, connected against Brandon Backe (1-1) for his first home run of the year.

Dan Wheeler (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings for the win.

Marlins 3, Cardinals 2

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Brad Penny worked six solid innings and Juan Pierre hit a two-run double to help Florida avoid a three-game sweep.

Jim Edmonds hit his ninth homer for the Cardinals, who wrapped up a 4-2 homestand - their first winning homestand of the season.

Penny (4-2) allowed one run and five hits in six innings, winning for the fourth time in five decisions.

Armando Benitez got six outs for his 15th save in 16 chances, extending his streak to a career-best 22 innings without allowing an earned run. It was his first two-inning save of the season.

Woody Williams (1-4) allowed three runs, one earned, in seven innings.

Rockies 7, Phillies 6

DENVER (AP) - Jeromy Burnitz drove in the tiebreaking run with an infield single in the eighth inning and had four RBIs, helping Colorado end a three-game losing streak with a victory over Philadelphia.

Tim Harikkala (1-0) got two outs for his first win since April 24, 1999, with Boston. Shawn Chacon worked the ninth for his 10th save in 12 opportunities for Colorado, which won for just the fourth time in 12 games.

Chase Utley and Ricky Ledee each hit a three-run homer, but Kevin Millwood had his worst start of the season for Philadelphia, which lost for only the second time in nine games.

Rheal Cormier (2-3) took the loss.

Cubs 4, Padres 2

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Jose Macias hit a tiebreaking home run off David Wells, and Michael Barrett also connected to lead Chicago over San Diego for a three-game sweep.

The Cubs won their fourth straight game, moved into a tie with Houston atop the NL Central and outhit the Padres in their new ballpark.

Sammy Sosa hurt himself when he sneezed twice before the game and sat out with back spasms.

Wells (2-4) allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings.

Francis Beltran (1-0) earned his first major league win. Joe Borowski got his seventh save, and 21st straight dating to Aug. 5, breaking Randy Myers' club record set from 1993-94.

Pirates 8, Giants 1

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Rob Mackowiak homered twice and drove in four runs to help Pittsburgh complete a rare three-game sweep in San Francisco.

The Pirates hadn't swept a series in San Francisco since winning a five-gamer in September 1996. They had won just three times in the first four seasons in the new ballpark before taking three in a row with Barry Bonds out with a bad back.

Kip Wells (3-4) took advantage of a lineup also missing leadoff hitter Ray Durham (sore hamstring), holding the punchless Giants to one run in five innings for his first win in a month.

Mackowiak hit a solo homer in the second, an RBI single in the fourth and a two-run shot in the sixth off Jerome Williams (3-3). The Giants have lost four straight and nine of 12.

Expos 6, Diamondbacks 1

PHOENIX (AP) - Livan Hernandez pitched a six-hitter for his second complete game in 10 days, helping Montreal beat Arizona to complete its first series sweep of the season.

Hernandez (3-2) walked two and struck out seven for his 33rd complete game. The Expos tied a season high with their third win a row.

Brian Schneider hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the fourth off Steve Sparks (2-3). Arizona lost its season-high fifth straight at home, matching its worst overall skid this year.