Dodgers Go 13 Innings for 40th One-Run Loss : Baseball: Simms’ single lifts the Astros, 3-2. Crews’ record falls to 0-3.

The Houston Astros have surpassed the expectations of Manager Art Howe this season.

“I was thinking that 75 wins would be nice, but this is a heck of an accomplishment and a step forward,” Howe said after Mike Simms’ run-scoring single during the 13th inning gave the Astros’ a 3-2 victory over the Dodgers on Saturday night.

Houston has won a club-record 16 of 21 extra-inning games and can reach the .500 mark with a victory Sunday. The Astros are 32-17 since they were 16 games below .500 on Aug. 10.

“These guys have a right to be awfully proud about what has happened in the second half,” Howe said.

“When I looked at the schedule before the season, I thought the second half would be tough, but as it’s turned out, it was better than the first half.”

Craig Biggio singled against Tim Crews (0-3) with two out in the 13th and stole second. Steve Finley was intentionally walked and Simms followed with a line drive to left-center field.

Jimmy Jones (10-6) got the victory with 2 1/3 innings of one-hit relief. Crews went 2 2/3 innings, giving up a run on three hits.

The Dodgers made the score 2-2 in the ninth when Mitch Webster led off with a double and scored on Eric Karros’ single.

Houston had taken a 2-1 lead during the seventh. Eric Anthony singled, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on Ken Caminiti’s single. Caminiti moved to second on Scott Servais’ sacrifice and scored on Steve Finley’s single.

Dave Hansen led off the third with his sixth home run of the season to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.

The Dodgers set a club record with 40 one-run losses. Houston is 32-21 in one-run games, including 15 victories in its last 19 such games.

“This was just an example of what has happened to us all year,” Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda said. “Our guys play hard . . . unfortunately, nothing has gone right this year.

“I never like to see the season end . . . but this year has been tough.”

Houston’s Mark Portugal gave up one run on four hits in seven innings in his first start since July 9. Portugal, who struck out five and walked none, had surgery on his right elbow on July 24 to remove chips and a bone spur.

Dodger starter Tom Candiotti pitched seven innings and gave up two runs on eight hits, striking out seven and walking one.