Tuesday’s N.L. games

Astros 8, Reds 0: At Cincinnati, Jeff Kent homered twice and Houston hit three consecutive homers in the fifth inning to defeat the Reds. Carlos Beltran, Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman hit consecutive home runs for the Astros, winners of a season-high five straight and eight of nine overall. Brandon Backe (2-2) scattered three hits over six shutout innings to win for the first time in three career starts.

Brewers 4, Pirates 2: At Milwaukee, the Brewers snapped a 12-game losing streak and avoided their worst month in franchise history with a victory over Pittsburgh. The Brewers went 6-21 in August, barely avoiding their worst month in franchise history (6-22 by the Seattle Pilots in August 1969).

Braves 5, Phillies 3: At Philadelphia, Mike Hampton (11-9) pitched two-hit ball over eight innings and Andruw Jones hit a two-run homer to lead Atlanta to a victory over the Phillies.

Marlins 5, Mets 0: At New York, Josh Beckett (6-8) pitched a six-hitter for his first regular-season shutout and Juan Pierre hit a two-run single to lead Florida over the Mets for its fifth consecutive victory.

Expos 8, Cubs 0: At Montreal, Livan Hernandez (10-12) allowed three hits in eight scoreless innings, and Brad Wilkerson and Maicer Izturis each hit home runs in the Expos’ victory over Chicago.

Cardinals 9, Padres 3: At St. Louis, Jim Edmonds homered twice, giving him seven in six games, and the Cardinals powered past San Diego. Albert Pujols and Edgar Renteria also homered for St. Louis.

Giants 9, Rockies 5: At San Francisco, Yorvit Torrealba and Marquis Grissom homered, and Ray Durham hit a tiebreaking, three-run double to lead the Giants over Colorado.

Dodgers 4, Diamondbacks 1 (13): At Phoenix, Steve Finley had a solo homer in the sixth and a three-run double in the 13th in his return to Arizona, lifting Los Angeles to a victory.