National League

Injured pinch-hitter Mike Piazza failed to start for New York Mets but he bounced back to hit a three-run double in the ninth inning as they beat Montreal Expos 12-6.

Desi Relaford also impressed with a home run in the eighth and an RBI double during a five-run ninth.

It was the Mets' eighth win in nine games as they pulled within three games of first-place Atlanta in the National League East.

They had trailed 6-2 but scored twice in the sixth and once in the seventh, when first baseman Todd Zeile and manager Bobby Valentine were ejected.

Bad record for Chicago

New York had 19 hits, including a team-record 10 doubles.

Meanwhile, Sammy Sosa claimed his 59th homer, but it wasn't enough to carry the disappointing Cubs as they narrowly lost to Houston 6-5.

Houston increased their lead in the NL Central to four games over St Louis who did not play - Chicago have now lost five of their last six games.

Randy Johnson struck out 16 batters in 6 2-3 innings as the Diamondbacks defeated the Brewers 13-11.

American League

Oakland claimed their 15th win in a row - they beat Anaheim 6-2 - as starter Cory Lidle went the distance for the first time in his four-year career.

Their fine run is the longest home-winning streak since Cleveland had 18 straight victories in 1994.

Lidle allowed two runs and five hits with a walk and three strike-outs for his fourth straight win and eighth in 10 starts.

Carlos Lee hit a two-run homer to highlight a four-run third inning as the White Sox claimed a rare victory over the Minnesota Twins, 9-3.

It was only their fourth win in 16 meetings with Minnesota as they levelled with the Twins in second place in the AL Central.

Carlos Beltran and Raul Ibanez both homered and drove in two runs, helping the Kansas Royals to defeat the Detroit Tigers 8-7.

Thursday's results:

National League

Colorado 13-9 San Diego
Montreal 6-12 New York Mets
Philadelphia 1-2 Cincinnati
Florida 7-1 Atlanta
Chi Cubs 5-6 Houston
Arizona 13-11 Milwaukee

American League

Chicago White Sox 9-3 Minnesota
Oakland 6-2 Anaheim
Boston 2-4 Baltimore
Tampa Bay 5-1Toronto
Kansas City 8-7 Detroit

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