Rockies stop Phils

PHILADELPHIA — Garrett Atkins hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning to help the Colorado Rockies beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-3 on Thursday.

Aaron Cook pitched seven strong innings and Brad Hawpe went 3-for-5 with a solo homer for Colorado, which improved to 7-3 on the road.

CARDINALS 6, NATIONALS 2: At St. Louis, Sidney Ponson won his third straight start and Jim Edmonds hit a three-run homer in the first inning for the Cardinals. Scott Spiezio added a two-run double in the seventh off Gary Majewski after the lead had been shaved to one for St. Louis, which has won seven of eight.