Brewers Quickly Chase Clemens

Roger Clemens lasted only three innings in his shortest start in more than a year, and the Milwaukee Brewers spoiled Jeff Bagwell’s return from the disabled list with a 7-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Friday night at Milwaukee.

Clemens (11-7) gave up five runs, five hits -- including two home runs -- and walked five in losing his third straight decision. His major league-leading earned-run average jumped from 1.57 to 1.78.

Despite the loss, the Astros remained a half-game ahead of the Florida Marlins for the wild-card lead.

Bagwell, who sat out 115 games after having right shoulder surgery June 7, was activated before the game. He pinch-hit for Clemens in the fourth and struck out.

Philadelphia 12, Florida 5 -- Pat Burrell and Ryan Howard each hit a two-run homer at Philadelphia to help the Phillies end a five-game losing streak. The Phillies moved to within 1 1/2 games of Houston in the wild-card race.

Washington 8, Atlanta 6 -- Jose Guillen broke a tie with a two-run double in the eighth inning at Washington. Chad Cordero got the last three outs for his club-record 44th save, striking out Todd Hollandsworth and Rafael Furcal to end it.

San Francisco 2, Chicago 1 -- Matt Cain, a 20-year-old right-hander, pitched a two-hitter in his third major league start, and fellow rookie Dan Ortmeier got his first RBI with a tiebreaking single with two out in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Arizona 7, Colorado 1 -- Shawn Estes (7-7) pitched six shutout innings for his first win since June 24 and Chad Tracy hit a three-run homer to lead the Diamondbacks at Coors Field.

St. Louis 3, New York 2 -- Larry Walker hit a tiebreaking home run off the right-field scoreboard with two out in the bottom of the eighth inning and the Cardinals reduced their magic number for clinching the Central Division to nine.

Pittsburgh 8, Cincinnati 4 -- Jason Bay hit a pair of two-run homers at Cincinnati, and the Pirates won in Oliver Perez’s first start in more than 10 weeks. Perez, who broke his left big toe on June 26 at St. Louis, went 4 1/3 innings. He gave up five hits and three runs.