NATIONAL LEAGUE Astros edge Bucs, pad win streak to 8 games

Mike Lamb's RBI-double in the seventh eventually doomed the Pirates, 6-5.
HOUSTON (AP) -- Mike Lamb hit a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning, and the Houston Astros extended their season-high winning streak to eight games with a 6-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.
Houston has won 10 of its last 12 games and 16 of its last 19 to move two games behind idle Chicago in the NL wild-card race.
Chad Qualls (3-0) threw one inning of relief and allowed a run and one hit, but picked up the win. Brad Lidge pitched the ninth for his 20th save in 23 opportunities.
Jason Bay and Jack Wilson each homered for Pittsburgh, which has lost 13 of its last 18 and were mathematically eliminated from the NL Central Division race.
With the game tied at 5 in the seventh, Jeff Bagwell led off with a triple off Nelson Figueroa (0-2). Frank Brooks came on in relief and intentionally walked Jeff Kent before Lamb lined a double into right-center field gap, giving the Astros the lead and eventual win.
Figueroa takes loss
Figueroa took the loss, pitching to one batter and giving up a run on one hit.
The Pirates tied it at 5 in the top of the seventh when Jason Kendall walked and scored on a double by Wilson.
Houston took a 5-4 lead in the fifth when Jose Vizcaino hit a leadoff single, moved to second on Raul Chavez's sacrifice and scored on pinch-hitter Morgan Ensberg's RBI double.
Pittsburgh took a 1-0 lead the first inning on Wilson's 11th homer of the season.
Houston moved ahead 2-1 in the bottom half on sacrifice flies by Lance Berkman and Jeff Kent.
Bay's 21st homer, a three-run shot, gave the Pirates a 4-2 lead in the third.
Houston tied it at 4 in the fourth. Chavez doubled with two outs and pinch-hitter Chris Burke walked. Craig Biggio singled in Chavez, and Burke scored on the play when center fielder Jose Bautista mishandled the ball for an error.
Notes
Houston has won 18 of its last 20 against Pittsburgh at Minute Maid Park. ... Bagwell has homered in four of his last nine games. ... The Pirates are 11-20 in games started by left-handers. ... The Pirates have homered in 13 of their last 16, and 16 of their last 20. ... Josh Fogg needs one victory to become the first Pittsburgh pitcher since Jason Schmidt (1997-99) to win 10 or more games in three consecutive seasons.
PITTSBURGHHOUSTON
abrhbiabrhbi
Kendall c3210Biggio lf5121
JWilsn ss5232Lidge p0000
Bay lf4113CBeltrn cf4100
CWilsn rf4000Bgwell 1b4120
Ward 1b3000Brkmn rf2001
Wggntn 3b3010JKent 2b2001
JBtista cf3000Lamb 3b4011
NFigra p0000JVzcno ss3110
Brooks p0000RChavz c2120
Mdows p0000Asmus c1000
Hill ph1000CHrndz p1000
STorres p0000Bullngr p0000
Castillo 2b3000Burke ph0100
Mckwk ph0000Hrvlle p0000
Fogg p2000Ensbrg ph1011
TRdmn cf2000Qualls p0000
OPlmro ph1000
Sprger p0000
Lane lf0000
Totals33565Totals30695
Pittsburgh103000100--5
Houston20020110x--6
E--JBautista 2 (3), Biggio (6), Lamb (11). LOB--Pittsburgh 6, Houston 9. 2B--JWilson (34), Biggio (40), Lamb (12), RChavez 2 (7), Ensberg (19). 3B--Bagwell (2). HR--JWilson (11), Bay (21). SB--Berkman (6). S--RChavez. SF--Berkman, JKent.
IPHRERBBSO
Pittsburgh
Fogg675443
NFigueroa L,0-2011100
Brooks1-310020
Meadows2-300001
STorres100001
Houston
CHernandez344424
Bullinger100000
Harville200013
Qualls W,3-0111111
Springer110002
Lidge S,20100001
NFigueroa pitched to 1 batter in the 7th. HBP--by Lidge (Mackowiak). Umpires--Home, Andy Fletcher; First, Tim Welke; Second, Gary Cederstrom; Third, Jim Reynolds. T--3:10. A--38,605.