The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Jeriome Robertson set a franchise record for wins by a rookie left-hander, and the Houston Astros jumped on Kevin Brown for four first-inning runs in an 8-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday night.

By winning the rubber game of a three-game series, the Astros moved into first place in the NL Central - a half-game ahead of St. Louis and one game in front of Chicago.

The loss was just the second in seven games for the Dodgers, who fell 21/2 games behind co-leaders Philadelphia and Florida in the NL wild-card race.

Robertson (13-7) gave up five hits and two runs in 5 2-3 innings while walking none and striking out six. He had been tied with Jim Deshaies for the club record for most wins by a rookie left-hander. Deshaies was 12-5 in 1986.

Brown (13-8) allowed six hits and four runs in seven innings while walking one and striking out five.

Cubs 8, Cardinals 7

CHICAGO - Moises had a career-high five hits, including a go-ahead single in the eighth inning that capped a comeback from a six-run deficit.

"Against St. Louis, right in the middle of a pennant race, for me to come up clutch and get the game-winning hit was awesome," he said. "It was a huge game. Down 6-0, this team really showed a lot of heart."

Before the game, Alou said he was still upset over an umpire's call that the Cubs felt cost them the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader. A bases-loaded drive down the line by Alou was called foul - even though a photo appeared to show it hit the line - and the Cubs lost 2-0.

Alou then went out and drove in four runs to lead the Cubs to a big win in a tension-filled game that included a shouting match between managers and the two starting pitchers hitting each other with pitches.

"That was a great, great victory for us," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. "We were hitting the ball hard all day long and had nothing to show for it. The guy's kept battling and fighting and grinding and grinding.

"This was the ultimate comeback in a big game and a big series," Baker added.

Chicago trailed 6-0 before scoring three runs in the sixth, then allowed a run in the seventh before closing to 7-6 with three more runs in the bottom half.

Giants 7, Rockies 6

SAN FRANCISCO - Pinch runner Eric Young avoided a tag at the plate to score the winning run in the ninth on Edgardo Alfonzo's sacrifice fly off Brian Fuentes (3-2), beating the throw by right fielder Larry Walker.

Even four homers could not save the Rockies from matching a club record with their 10th straight road loss.

Joe Nathan (9-3) pitched one inning as the Giants won their fifth straight game and reduced their magic number for clinching the NL West to 13.

Phillies 8, Expos 3

PHILADELPHIA -Jim Thome homered and drove in two runs to back Kevin Millwood (14-9), who struck out eight in eight innings as Philadelphia won for the fifth time in six games. Philadelphia remained tied for first with Florida in the NL wild-card race.

Mets 9, Braves 3

NEW YORK - Jorge Velandia hit a two-run triple off Russ Ortiz (18-6) and an RBI double a day after being called up from the minors as New York completed its first sweep of the Braves since Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 1995. Atlanta tied a season high with four errors, and four of New York's runs were unearned.

Padres 12, Diamondbacks 0

SAN DIEGO - Gary Matthews Jr. hit a two-run triple to highlight a seven-run second inning as the Padres handed the Diamondbacks their fifth straight loss. Arizona has lost 14 of its last 20 games, including four straight to the Padres, who have the NL's worst record.

Marlins 3, Pirates 0

MIAMI - Josh Beckett pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning and drove in a run as Florida remained tied for the NL wild-card lead. Beckett (7-7) won for just the second time in seven starts, allowing three hits over 7 2/3 innings.