HOUSTON — Roy Oswalt pitched eight innings for his sixth straight win and Brad Ausmus homered in Houston's six-run first as the Astros beat the Chicago Cubs 9-1 on Thursday night.

        Oswalt (16-6) allowed only a solo homer to Fred McGriff in the seventh inning as he improved to 4-0 in five starts against the Cubs this season. Oswalt struck out six.

        Cubs starter Steve Smyth (1-2) retired only one batter, giving up six run, four hits and three walks.

        Ausmus' three-run homer that just cleared the yellow stripe in left-center was the big blow in Houston's six-run first. Cubs manager Bruce Kimm briefly argued the call, saying the ball hit below the line and should be a double, but second base umpire Larry Vanover called it a home run.

        Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell had RBI singles and Jose Vizcaino hit a sacrifice fly in the inning for the Astros.

        Oswalt and Brian Hunter each drove in a run with singles in the fifth inning to make it 8-0.

        Orlando Merced drove in the ninth run with a sacrifice fly to center in the sixth.

        McGriff hit his 28th home run of the year to lead off the seventh.

        Notes: Smyth's one-third of an inning stint was the shortest by a Cub starter since Micah Bowie also retired only one batter on Aug. 31, 1999, at San Diego. ... Bagwell extended his season-high hitting streak to 13 games. ... Houston RF Richard Hidalgo left the game after the third inning with a right hip strain. He is day to day. ... Cubs SS Alex Gonzalez went 0-for-3, ending a 15-game hitting streak.

D'Backs 6, Reds 3 Reds Box, Runs Sullivan OK, itching to pitch It's make-or-break time for Reds Reds at Astros series preview Labor talks moving slowly Fox's Goren on strike: 'A deal to be made.' Astros 9, Cubs 1 Cardinals 5, Pirates 4 Phillies 7, Brewers 0 Astros bolster bullpen with Flash Gordon Toledo 6, Louisville 4

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