Astros Ride Fast Lane to Victory

The Houston Astros’ Jason Lane took an unusual postgame batting practice with hitting coach Gary Gaetti after a disappointing performance Friday night.

It paid off for Lane and the Astros on Saturday.

Lane’s run-scoring single in the bottom of the ninth inning led the Astros to their fifth win in six games, as they rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Houston.

“Last night, I was horrible in my one at-bat, and it came at a time when we might have gotten something going if I would have done something,” said Lane, who grounded into a fielder’s choice as a pinch-hitter with runners on first and second early in the Astros’ 9-2 loss Friday. “So I stayed after the game and worked on my hitting.”

Jeff Kent led off the bottom of the ninth with a single and moved to third when Morgan Ensberg reached on a throwing error by third baseman Jose Macias. Kent scored on Jose Vizcaino’s single to tie it.

After pinch-hitter Mike Lamb reached on an intentional walk to load the bases, Lane singled to right, scoring Ensberg with the winning run.

Brad Lidge (4-6) earned the win, striking out three in 1 1/3 innings. He gave up two runs and three hits.

Brandon Backe struck out four and walked three as he held the Cubs to four hits over seven innings in his first major league start.

LaTroy Hawkins (2-4) gave up two runs and three hits in one-third of an inning and took the loss.

Florida 8, San Diego 2 -- Josh Beckett (5-7) pitched six strong innings for his first victory in more than three months and drove in his first run of the season with a double, leading the Marlins at San Diego.

Juan Pierre and Jeff Conine homered, and Miguel Cabrera tied his career high with four hits for the Marlins.

St. Louis 10, Pittsburgh 6 -- Scott Rolen, Albert Pujols and Mike Matheny hit home runs to lead the Cardinals at Pittsburgh.

Jeff Suppan (12-6) gave up five runs -- three earned -- and four hits in six innings for the Cardinals, who moved to a season-high 39 games above .500 with their third consecutive win. St. Louis has won 14 of its last 18, and clinched its eighth series win in a row.

Rolen’s homer was his 31st of the season and gives him 110 RBIs -- equaling career highs in both.

Philadelphia 8, Milwaukee 6 -- Chase Utley’s bases-loaded triple keyed a six-run eighth inning, and the Phillies rallied from a five-run deficit at Milwaukee.

Geoff Geary (1-0) struck out two in a scoreless seventh inning to earn his first major league decision.

Tim Worrell pitched the ninth inning to earn his 15th save in 21 chances as Philadelphia won its second consecutive game after a seven-game losing streak at home.

Luis Vizcaino (4-3) came in with two runners on base and Milwaukee leading, 6-3, in the eighth inning, but both runners scored. He then gave up three runs of his own.

Colorado 5, Montreal 2 -- Todd Helton homered at Denver, Joe Kennedy won for the first time since June 20 and the Rockies ended a three-game losing streak.

Matt Holliday had a two-run double, and Vinny Castilla had a run-scoring double for the Rockies. Helton finished three for three with three runs.

Livan Hernandez lost despite pitching a complete game.

Arizona 2, Cincinnati 1 -- Brandon Webb gave up one run in seven innings for his second win in 15 starts and also drove in the go-ahead run as the Diamondbacks held on at Phoenix.

Chad Tracy had a run-scoring double for the Diamondbacks, who are 3-3 since ending a nine-game losing streak Aug. 15.

Webb (5-14) gave up four hits, struck out five and walked five for his first win since July 26.

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NL Wild-Card Race

*--* W L GB San Francisco 68 57 -- Chicago 66 56 1/2 San Diego 65 57 1 1/2 Florida 61 60 5

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