NL roundup: Astros spoil Cards' chance to clinch

HOUSTON — Houston's Bud Norris went six innings in a 3-0 victory over St. Louis on Wednesday night, and the Cardinals missed a chance to win the NL Central title.

The magic number for St. Louis dropped to one when Chicago lost in Milwaukee before this game ended. But Norris (6-3) didn't allow St. Louis to score for the second straight outing and Jose Valverde pitched the ninth for his 24th save.

St. Louis can clinch the division from their hotel in Colorado on Thursday, a day off, if the Cubs lose the opener of a weekend series in San Francisco.

BREWERS 3, CUBS 2: At Milwaukee, Prince Fielder hit his 42nd homer to give him a majors-best 131 RBIs and Milwaukee rookie Chris Narveson struck out 10 for his first win as a starter.

Jody Gerut homered for the Brewers, who avoided a three-game sweep. Chicago is still mathematically alive since St. Louis lost, but the Cardinals now have a magic number of one for the NL Central title.

MARLINS 7, PHILLIES 6: At Miami, pinch-hitter Brett Carroll capped a two-run rally against closer Brad Lidge in the ninth inning with an RBI single to give Florida the victory.

Jorge Cantu tied it with a single off Lidge (0-8), who blew his major league-leading 11th save.

PADRES 6, ROCKIES 3: At Denver, Will Venable homered and tied a career high by driving in four runs in San Diego's win that snapped Colorado's eight-game home winning streak.

The Rockies' lead in the NL wild-card race was whittled to four games over Atlanta, which beat New York 5-2 on Wednesday night. San Francisco, which played at Arizona, also began the night five games behind Colorado.

NATIONALS 5, DODGERS 4: At Washington, Los Angeles' Andre Ethier booted pinch-hitter Pete Orr's fly ball to right field in the ninth inning, allowing Justin Maxwell to score, and Washington averted its 100th loss.

BRAVES 5, METS 2: At New York, Tim Hudson pitched six effective innings for his second win since major elbow surgery and Atlanta completed a three-game sweep.

Hours after announcing Bobby Cox will retire as manager following next season, the Braves won for the 11th time in 13 games. Clinging to scant playoff hopes, Atlanta began the day five games behind Colorado for the NL wild card.

REDS 12, PIRATES 2: At Pittsburgh, Joey Votto went 4 for 5 and scored three runs and Homer Bailey allowed two runs in six innings for Cincinnati.

Brandon Phillips, Scott Rolen, Jay Bruce, Laynce Nix and Corky Miller all had two RBIs for the Reds, who have won seven of nine.

The Pirates are 3-22 in their past 25, having lost five straight. They have allowed 33 runs in the past three games.

Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen had two hits and scored a run.

GIANTS 5, DIAMONDBACKS 2: At Phoenix, Juan Uribe homered, doubled and drove in three runs to lead San Francisco to victory over Arizona.

Jonathan Sanchez earned the pitching victory, while Brian Wilson picked up his 36th save.