Oswalt Keeps Astros Ahead of the Cubs

Roy Oswalt won his second straight game since coming off the disabled list as the Houston Astros preserved their one-game lead in the Central Division over the Chicago Cubs with a 2-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday night at Houston.

On the disabled list three times this season because of groin injuries, Oswalt (8-5) gave up only four hits in seven innings, outpitching Matt Morris.

Jeff Bagwell provided Oswalt all the support he needed with his 35th homer in the fourth inning. Morris (10-7) entered the game with a career-high 20-inning scoreless streak and extended it to 23 before Bagwell’s homer.

Chicago 9, Cincinnati 6 -- Aramis Ramirez singled in the go-ahead run, and Eric Karros had four RBIs at Wrigley Field as the Cubs overcame a blown lead for the second straight day.

The Cubs blew a 5-0 lead Friday before winning, 7-6. It was more of the same Saturday, as they had leads of 4-1 and 5-4.

Pittsburgh 5, Philadelphia 3 -- Abraham Nunez’s two-run double in the second inning helped the Pirates to a five-run lead, and they held on to win and damage the Phillies’ wild-card chances. The loss dropped them 2 1/2 games behind wild-card leader Florida.

New York 5, Montreal 4 -- Steve Trachsel tied a career high with his 15th win and Daniel Garcia homered and had three RBIs at Montreal to help the Mets end a season-high eight-game losing streak. Trachsel (15-9), who had 15 wins with the Cubs in 1998, yielded eight hits and four runs in six innings.

Milwaukee 5, San Francisco 4 -- At San Francisco, Richie Sexson hit a pair of two-run homers and the Brewers ended a seven-game losing streak to the Giants despite Barry Bonds’ 654th homer.

Bonds hit the first pitch from Doug Davis an estimated 482 feet to spark a four-run eighth inning, his 41st homer of the season. Bonds is six home runs shy of tying his godfather, Willie Mays, for third place on baseball’s career list.

Arizona 16, Colorado 6 -- Raul Mondesi hit a two-run home run and capped a six-run second inning with a two-run single at Phoenix. Luis Gonzalez drove in three runs and Mondesi scored four times.