The Cubs scored three times in the ninth inning, but their rally fell short and they lost for the sixth time in seven games. Chicago dropped two games back of Houston and San Francisco in the wild-card standings with two games to play.

The Cubs must beat the 13-time division champion Braves on Saturday and Sunday and hope for help.

Atlanta wrapped up the NL's second seed with its 95th victory, ensuring home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Hampton (13-9) allowed four hits in six innings. DeWayne Wise, the No. 8 hitter in the Braves' order, had a two-run homer off Wood (8-9). Hampton's 14th career homer, a two-out, two-run shot, made it 4-1 in the fourth.

Astros 4, Rockies 2

HOUSTON - Jeff Bagwell hit a two-run homer and Houston overcame a sloppy start to remain atop the NL wild-card standings.

The Astros remained tied with San Francisco, which defeated Los Angeles 4-2. Houston, which has won a club-record 16 straight at home, moved two games ahead of the Chicago Cubs, who've lost four straight and six of seven.

Mike Gallo (2-0) earned the win by getting the last out of the third inning, and Brad Lidge got three outs for his 28th save. They were two of seven pitchers to hold off the Rockies for Houston's seventh win in eight games, and 11th in 14.

Joe Kennedy (9-7) was denied a chance at a career high-tying fourth straight victory, allowing four runs on eight hits in eight innings.

Houston got off to a poor start when Craig Biggio badly misplayed a fly ball to left with two outs in the first, Morgan Ensberg was caught stealing in the second and starter Pete Munro's wild pitch allowed Clint Barmes to score in the third.

Giants 4, Dodgers 2

LOS ANGELES - Kirk Rueter pitched seven strong innings, and San Francisco prevented Los Angeles from clinching their first NL West title since 1995.

The Giants remained tied with the Astros in the wild-card race. Houston defeated Colorado 4-2.

J.T. Snow homered and former Dodger Marquis Grissom doubled home two runs for the Giants, who need a sweep of the three-game series to either force a one-game playoff or win the division based on a 10-9 season record against the Dodgers if Houston loses at least once.

Rueter (9-12) gave up homers to Olmedo Saenz in the fifth and Steve Finley in the seventh, but allowed just one other hit, struck out one and walked one in seven innings. Dustin Hermanson got three outs for his 17th save.

Jeff Weaver (13-13) gave up three runs on six hits in seven innings. He struck out five and walked four.

Barry Bonds went 0-for-1 with three walks, including two intentional.

Padres 3, Diamondbacks 2

PHOENIX - The San Diego Padres found out between the second and third innings that they were eliminated from wild-card contention, then rallied for a 3-2 win.

Pinch-hitter Miguel Ojeda hit a two-run homer in the seventh for the Padres, who were knocked out of the playoff race when Houston beat Colorado 4-2.

Jake Peavy (15-6) struck out 11 and put himself in position to win the NL ERA title, allowing two runs in six innings. Peavy, whose 2.27 ERA is the lowest in the major leagues, entered 1 2-3 innings short of qualifying. Trevor Hoffman earned his 41st save in 45 chances.

Shea Hillenbrand had three hits for the Diamondbacks, including a two-run shot in the sixth. Michael Gosling (1-1) gave up three runs in six innings.

Expos 4, Mets 2

NEW YORK - Terrmel Sledge hit a tiebreaking RBI double in the eighth inning and Montreal opened the team's final series before the franchise moves to Washington.

Sledge and Brian Schneider each drove in two runs for the Expos, who snapped a five-game losing streak. The team is relocating after 36 years in Montreal.

Endy Chavez drew a leadoff walk from Pedro Feliciano (1-1) in the eighth, moved to second on Tony Batista's single off Tyler Yates and scored on Sledge's double to left center. Juan Rivera walked to load the bases and Schneider singled to give Montreal a 4-2 lead.

Jon Rauch (3-0) pitched one scoreless inning for the victory.

Phillies 6, Marlins 2

PHILADELPHIA - Jimmy Rollins and Placido Polanco homered, Cory Lidle pitched six solid innings and Philadelphia secured second place in the NL East.

The Phillies are three games ahead of the defending World Series champions in the standings.

Lidle (12-12) struck out only one and scattered nine hits. With a 3-2 lead in the sixth, Lidle loaded the bases with two outs before getting pinch-hitter Lenny Harris to ground out.

Polanco put Philadelphia ahead 3-2 in the fifth with his 17th homer, a two-run shot off Matt Perisho (5-3). Rollins went 3-for-5, adding two doubles and a solo shot in the seventh.

Cardinals 4, Brewers 1

ST. LOUIS - Rick Ankiel beaned Dave Krynzel with a hanging curveball, but won his first game in 31/2 years with a four-inning relief stint.

Ankiel, whose career was derailed by record wildness in the 2000 playoffs, beaned Krynzel with one out in the sixth. Krynzel sustained a concussion and was removed from the game.

Ankiel (1-0), activated from the disabled list Sept. 1, gave up two hits in his 50-pitch outing, including a home run by Keith Ginter. Ankiel struck out two and walked none in his first victory since April 8, 2001.

Albert Pujols had a two-run double, and six pitchers combined on a three-hitter for the Cardinals, who ended a season-high losing streak at four games.

Jason Isringhausen, the Cardinals' sixth pitcher, worked the ninth for his 47th save in 54 chances.

Ben Hendrickson (1-8) gave up four runs and eight hits in 6 2-3 innings.

Return to Reds front page...