NL | Nats defeat Braves; Mets edge Cubs

WASHINGTON - Jason Bergmann took a bid for a no-hitter into the eighth inning and got his first major-league win as a starter, leading the Washington Nationals over the Atlanta Braves, 2-1, last night.

Bergmann cruised through the first seven innings, but Brian McCann hit a leadoff homer in the eighth. The righthander responded by retiring the next three to get out of the inning.

He came out for the ninth inning and departed after pinch-hitter Matt Diaz singled. Jesus Colome got two outs before Edgar Renteria singled to bring up Andruw Jones, who struck out after being ahead 3-0. It was Colome's first save of the season.

Bergmann (1-3) struck out 10 and walked one to get his first win since Sept. 15, 2005, and first in 15 major-league starts.

Mets 5, Cubs 4

NEW YORK - Michael Wuertz walked three straight batters in the bottom of the ninth inning, forcing home the winning run in New York's victory over Chicago.

Slumping slugger Carlos Delgado drew the game-ending walk on a 3-2 pitch that was high, and David Wright hit a two-run homer to help New York win for the fifth time in six games. The Mets, who overcame an early four-run deficit, have won nine of 12 overall.

Pirates 7, Marlins 0

PITTSBURGH - Lefthander Tom Gorzelanny limited slumping Florida to five singles over seven shutout innings, outpitching Dontrelle Willis in Pittsburgh's victory.

The Marlins began the game leading the NL with 136 extra-base hits, but didn't have one against Gorzelanny (5-2), who is emerging as one of the league's top young starters.

Gorzelanny struck out five, walked none, and has allowed only one run combined in his last two starts and three in his last three. For the season, he has given up two runs or fewer in all but two of his eight starts.