MONTREAL – Mike Hampton allowed three hits in five innings and hit a home run as the Atlanta Braves closed in on their record 12th straight division title with a 14-4 victory over the Montreal Expos on Wednesday night.

Javy Lopez and Andruw Jones also homered, and manager Bobby Cox got his 1,900th win as Atlanta reduced its magic number for winning the NL East to one.

Marlins 11, Phillies 4

PHILADELPHIA – Jeff Conine homered, drove in three runs and made two outstanding defensive plays in left field, leading the Florida Marlins to an 11-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night.

The Marlins increased their NL wild-card lead to 11/2 games over the Phillies. The teams play again at Veterans Stadium on Thursday and have a three-game series in Florida next week.

Juan Pierre had four hits and a career-high four RBIs for the Marlins, who have won nine of their last 10 against Philadelphia.

Cubs 2, Mets 0

CHICAGO – Kerry Wood struck out 11 in his fourth complete game of the year, and Doug Glanville and Aramis Ramirez homered Wednesday as the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 2-0 to complete a three-game sweep.

The sweep was Chicago’s fourth of the season, but its first at home. The Cubs hadn’t swept the Mets since taking a four-game series at Wrigley Field in August 1992.

The Cubs also improved to 13-4 in September. But they had to wait to see if they’d gain any ground in the NL Central race. First-place Houston, which began the day with a 11/2-game lead, played later Wednesday at Colorado.

Pirates 8, Reds 5

PITTSBURGH – Matt Stairs hit a two-run homer, and Jeff D’Amico won at home for the first time in more than two months as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-5 on Wednesday night.

D’Amico (9-15) came in tied for the NL lead in losses, but was staked to an early lead. He gave up four runs and five hits in 7 1-3 innings for his first win at PNC Park since July 6.