Reynolds, Houston Top Cubs

National League

Shane Reynolds, winless since Aug. 30, threw a seven-hitter and Craig Biggio drove in two runs with a second-inning single, leading the Houston Astros to a 4-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night in Houston.

The Astros, who at best can tie Cincinnati in the N.L. Central, pulled within one-half game of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the wild card race. The Dodgers played host to San Francisco later Wednesday night.

Reynolds (10-11) got his first victory of the month in four starts. He struck out 12 to match his career high and walked one in his third complete game and second shutout of the season.

Mets 8, Braves 4

Atlanta

Jeff Kent went 4 for 5 and drove in two runs as New York beat Atlanta.

Jason Isringhausen (8-2) won his sixth consecutive decision in his first appearance against the Braves.

Cardinals 9, Pirates 3

Pittsburgh

St. Louis and the franchise’s uncertain future ruined Pittsburgh’s last home game - maybe, forever - as Terry Bradshaw’s two-run triple led the Cardinals.

The Pirates, unable to attract a buyer for 13 months, may be sold and moved if California newspaper heir Kevin McClatchy can’t close a deal by Friday.

Marlins 2, Phillies 1

Philadelphia

John Burkett pitched a four-hitter and Quilvio Veras had a two-run homer as Florida beat Philadelphia.

The only run off Burkett (14-12) was Lenny Webster’s third homer, with two outs in the second.

Reds 5, Expos 2

Cincinnati

Cincinnati finally reached the threshold of the N.L. Central championship, beating Montreal and reducing its clinching number to one.

Dodgers 4, Giants 2

Los Angeles

Ramon Martinez won his fifth straight decision and Los Angeles capitalized on the Giants’ shoddy defense to keep pace in the West.

The division-leading Colorado Rockies, who come to Dodger Stadium next Monday night for a three-game series, played at San Diego on Monday night.

Martinez (16-7) allowed two runs and seven hits over eight innings.

Mike Piazza singled to spark Los Angeles, one day after a Mark Leiter fastball injured his left wrist.

Rockies 10, Padres 2

San Diego

Walt Weiss went 4 for 4, scored a club-record five runs and homered for the first time in 750 at-bats to lead Colorado past San Diego.

The Rockies remained 1-1/2 games in front of the Dodgers.

Bill Swift (8-2) gave up three hits before he was lifted after allowing Tony Gwynn’s RBI double in the sixth, cutting the lead to 7-2.