Mets 3, Braves 2

Mike Pelfrey wasn't distracted by a pregame meeting of the Mets' top executives.

"I didn't really pay attention to that; it's out of my pay grade," Pelfrey said.

A focused Pelfrey gave the Mets a lift with 7 2/3 strong innings and New York beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2 on Monday night to end a five-game losing streak.

Pelfrey (5-1) became the first Mets starting pitcher to win a game this month. He was perhaps an unlikely choice to end the May drought as he improved to only 3-10 in 19 career starts in the month.

The right-hander said he wasn't aware of the rotation's month-long drought.

"I knew my last three starts I didn't have a win," Pelfrey said.

Rod Barajas gave the Mets a 2-0 lead with a two-run double off Derek Lowe (5-4) in the second.

"We needed to go out there and stop what was going on. Put a halt to it," said Barajas of the losing streak.

Pedro Feliciano struck out Brian McCann with the bases loaded in the eighth to protect a one-run lead. Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth for his sixth save. With two outs, Yunel Escobar walked and stole second. Rodriguez struck out Nate McLouth to end the game.

"Again, pitching is the key," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said. "If we continue to get this kind of pitching, it at least gives us a chance."

Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon met with Manuel, general manager Omar Minaya and assistant general manager John Ricco before the game.

Asked after the game if the win meant Wilpon would remain with the team, a smiling Manuel said: "I don't know what that plan is. Whatever it takes, I'm cool with that."

Phillies 12, Pirates 2

Kyle Kendrick pitched eight impressive innings, Ryan Howard hit a grand slam and had six RBI, and Philadelphia beat Pittsburgh.

Jayson Werth had a three-run homer for the NL East-leading Phillies, who have won four straight and 12 of 15. The two-time defending NL champions are 24-13 despite a slew of injuries.

The Phillies got one of their injured stars back when Jimmy Rollins returned to the lineup after missing 29 games with a calf injury. The three-time All-Star shortstop and 2007 NL MVP had two hits and an RBI.

Reds 6, Brewers 3

Jonny Gomes' three-run homer completed a five-run rally in the seventh inning, and the Reds made sure they'd stay in first place for yet another day by beating the Brewers.

Gomes' homer off Todd Coffey (1-1) sent the Reds to their eighth victory in nine games. They moved into first place in the NL Central on Sunday - they haven't been there this deep into a season since 2006.

Johnny Cueto (3-1) fanned seven and gave up seven hits in seven innings, including Corey Hart's solo homer. Hart also homered off Daniel Ray Herrera in the ninth.

Diamondbacks 5, Marlins 1

Edwin Jackson struck out a career-high 12 in eight shutout innings to lead the Diamondbacks to a victory over the Marlins.

Stephen Drew, John Hester, and Conor Jackson each drove in a run for the Diamondbacks, who won for just the second time in 10 games.

Jackson (2-5), who went 13-9 with Detroit last season and earned a spot on the All-Star team, came in with a 1-5 record and 7.43 ERA. In addition to his struggles, he was facing a team that he was 0-3 with an ERA over 11 in four career appearances.

Manuel Gonzalez became the first Venezuelan umpire in major league baseball history, working at third base. Gonzalez, 30, was filling in for John Hirschbeck, who was dealing with a personal matter.

American League

Twins 8, Blue Jays 3

Justin Morneau homered twice, Delmon Young also went deep and Minnesota beat Toronto.

Morneau went 3 for 4 with a walk and four RBI. He hit a solo homer off Rommie Lewis in the sixth inning and added a two-run drive off Shawn Camp in the eighth, his first multihomer game this season and the 13th of his career. Morneau also homered Sunday at Yankee Stadium and has hit safely in 10 straight games.

Jose Bautista homered for the fourth time in three games for the Blue Jays, his team-leading 11th, but Toronto's four-game winning streak ended.

Royals 4, Orioles 3

Kyle Davies allowed two runs in six innings, and the Royals defeated the Orioles for their third win in four games under new manager Ned Yost.