WASHINGTON (AP) -- Alfonso Soriano still has great times at RFK Stadium, even when he's wearing another team's uniform.
Soriano returned Monday night to the stadium that helped earn him a nine-digit contract and looked right at home again, getting two hits, a run, an RBI and a stolen base in the Chicago Cubs' 7-2 victory over the Washington Nationals.
Manager Lou Piniella was concerned that this would be a trap series for the Cubs, who were leaving an 8-1 homestand before energized crowds at Wrigley Field to play a last-place team in a half-empty stadium. He needn't have worried: Soriano and three other players had at least two hits, and Ted Lilly (7-4) allowed only three hits over seven innings to put Chicago (41-40) above .500 for the first time since they were 16-15 on May 9.
Before the game, Soriano visited Washington's clubhouse and spoke of his fond memories of his eventful but productive season in the nation's capital. He reluctantly converted from second base to left field, then hit 46 home runs and stole 41 bases in a blockbuster performance that earned him a $136 million, eight-year contract as a free agent from the Cubs in November.
Brewers 10, Pirates 3
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PITTSBURGH -- Backup catcher Damian Miller homered twice during a four-hit night, including a grand slam in Milwaukee's seven-run seventh inning, and his seven RBIs matched a club record as the Brewers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Miller went 4-for-5 while playing for the first time since hitting a three-run, game-ending homer in the 11th inning to beat Houston on Wednesday -- his first homer this season. Miller has three homers and 11 RBIs in his last two games after previously having no homers and six RBIs all season.
The Pirates should have known better than to pitch to Miller, given their recent problems pitching to backup catchers. They lost 3-2 to Washington on Sunday, costing them a three-game sweep, when little-used catcher Jesus Flores hit a decisive two-run homer in the sixth inning.
Astros 7, Phillies 5
HOUSTON -- Hunter Pence hit a two-run homer and the Houston Astros scored twice in the seventh inning on bases-loaded walks in a 7-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Carlos Lee had an RBI single and a towering solo homer and Craig Biggio had three hits, including two doubles, as the Astros won for the seventh time in their last eight home games.
Cardinals 11, Diamondbacks 3
ST. LOUIS -- Albert Pujols hit a tiebreaking, two-run single in the seventh inning and Scott Rolen had four RBIs to lead the St. Louis Cardinals over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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Braden Looper, in his first outing following a stint on the disabled list caused by a shoulder strain, allowed three runs and four hits in six innings.
