HOUSTON, United States (AFP) - Jeff Bagwell had three hits, including a go-ahead single in the seventh inning, as the Houston registered their franchise-record 15th straight home win, a 6-4 triumph over the St. Louis.
Houston (89-70) moved one-half game ahead of San Francisco and Chicago in Major League Baseball's wild card race.
"It would just mean a lot if we could get to the playoffs," Bagwell said. "The playoffs don't happen all the time unless you're the Braves or the Yankees and you have to cherish each one that you get. But first we've got to get there."
The Anaheim Angels kept their playoff hopes alive and eliminated the Texas Rangers from postseason contention with an 8-7 victory on Wednesday.
Scott Rolen's two-run homer evened the score, 4-4, in the
sixth, before Bagwell lined a 3-0 pitch from St. Louis pitcher Jeff Suppan (16-9) to left, scoring Willy Taveras in the seventh inning. Lance Berkman followed with an RBI double to give Houston a 6-4 lead.
"They are playing for their playoff lives right now," Rolen said. "They are really focused just like they should be and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw them again down the road."
Houston starter Roger Clemens breezed until allowing Rolen's blast with two outs in the sixth. Seeking his seventh straight victory, Clemens gave up five hits and struck out eight while walking one in six innings.
"Some of the games we've played during this run have been more difficult and that certainly was the case tonight," Clemens said. "I had to throw some hittable pitches tonight because I got behind in the count. But I was fortunate to keep us even before coming out."
Chad Qualls (4-0) and Dan Miceli combined to pitch two scoreless innings before Brad Lidge got his 27th save in 31 chances.
Jeff Kent hit his 300th career homer, a solo shot in the second.
In Arlington Texas, all-Star closer Francisco Cordero served up a two-run homer to Troy Glaus in the 11th inning as the Angels bounced the Rangers from playoff contention.
Entering three games behind Anaheim and Oakland in the American League West Division, the Rangers carried a 6-5 lead into the ninth.
But with two outs, AL Most Valuable Player candidate Vladimir Guerrero singled to keep alive the Angels' chances.
Curtis Pride followed with a deep fly to centre field that scored Guerrero with the tying run.
Michael Young collected two hits to raise his season total to 211, breaking the club record set in 1980 by Mickey Rivers.