PHILADELPHIA — Determined to stay on top, the Philadelphia Phillies are playing their best down the stretch.

Pat Burrell hit a three-run homer in the eighth and the NL East-leading Phillies beat the Atlanta Braves, 6-2, last night for their 10th win in 11 games.

The Phillies reduced their magic number for clinching their second straight division title to four after the New York Mets lost, 9-5, to the Cubs to fall 2 1/2 games back. Philadelphia's magic number for clinching a playoff berth is three.

"There's been a couple points during the season when we weren't playing to our potential," Burrell said. "Right now we're going pretty good."

Kelly Johnson hit a two-run homer for the Braves, who helped the Phillies by winning two straight against the Mets over the weekend.

Jeff Bennett (3-7) allowed a run on a single, an error and a fielder's choice in the eighth before he was taken out of the game. Later in the inning, Burrell ripped a two-out shot off Julian Tavarez to the seats in left to extend the lead to 6-2.

Scott Eyre (5-0) got the final out in the eighth for the Phillies.

Cubs 9, Mets 5: Jason Marquis became the second pitcher to hit a grand slam against the Mets this season, and visiting Chicago clinched home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs while damaging New York's postseason chances. The Mets had their wild-card lead cut to one game over idle Milwaukee. Marquis (11-9) drove in five runs and allowed four runs in 6 2/3 innings for the NL Central champions.

Reds 7, Marlins 5: Joey Votto homered and doubled, helping host Cincinnati rally from a four-run deficit and beat Florida in a makeup game. Votto hit a go-ahead double during a six-run burst in the seventh inning. Jerry Hairston Jr. drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single to tie it, and pinch-hitter Andy Phillips later delivered a two-run single.

Diamondbacks 4, Cardinals 2: Brandon Webb (22-7) allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings, and Stephen Drew homered to help Arizona creep closer in the NL West with a win over host St. Louis. Drew came within a triple of the cycle for the Diamondbacks, who moved two games behind the idle Dodgers with six games to go.