NL Central Up for Grabs After Astros Win
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ATLANTA -- Andy Pettitte came through on three days' rest, giving up one run in seven innings, and pinch-hitter Orlando Palmeiro's single drove in the tiebreaking run in Houston's three-run ninth to give the Astros a 5-4 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night.
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The Houston Astros are hitting their way into the NL wild-card race.
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The Milwaukee Brewers bobbled a chance to stay close in the NL Central.
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Inside the NLCS: Astros storm back to take series lead while St. Louis teeters on edge of elimination. By Jesse Gerner. Move over New York Yankees, there&#39;s a new Daddy in town.
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On a night when pitching suddenly took over the NL playoffs, someone was bound to get a hit. Fortunately for the Houston Astros, Jeff Kent stepped up.
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Astros: Houston got rolling under manager Phil Garner, who replaced Jimy Williams at the All-Star break, and an amazing late-season surge carried the Astros to the wild card.
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Roger Clemens and the powerful Houston lineup made sure the Astros got off to a good start in their quest to finally win a playoff series. While Clemens continually pitched out of trouble, Brad Ausmus, Lance Berkman, Carlos Beltran and Jason Lane homered for the Astros to lead a 9-3 rout of the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of their NL division series Wednesday.
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He breaks up a scoreless tie with a three-run, ninth-inning homer to give Houston the victory and a 3-2 series edge on St. Louis. HOUSTON -- On a night when pitching suddenly took over the National League playoffs, someone was bound to get a hit.
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HOUSTON - The Astros&#39; pain was the Braves&#39; gain yesterday as the first-round NL playoff series shifts back to Atlanta for a decisive Game 5 today.
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Roger Clemens won his 327th career game with seven strong innings, and the Houston Astros kept pace in the NL wild-card race by holding on for a 7-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.
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ATLANTA - Do or die. No tomorrow. Backs against the wall. All the cliches fit the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros heading into Monday night&#39;s fifth and final game of the NL Division Series.
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The red-hot Houston Astros slugged six  home runs on Saturday to beat the Colorado Rockies 9-3 and  clinch at least a tie for the National League wild card playoff  berth.
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The surging Houston Astros have put their vacation plans on hold. Pinch-hitter Mike Lamb's infield single drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, lifting the Astros to their sixth straight victory, 5-4 over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night.
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Roy Oswalt became the NL&#39;s first 19-game winner, and the Houston Astros stayed close in the wild-card race with a 10-3 victory over the St.
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ST. LOUIS The Houston Astros are ahead of St. Louis 2-to-1 over St. Louis after three innings of Game Seven of the National League Championship Series.
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NL wild card spot. San Francisco must win today and hope the Astros lose at. home to the Rockies to force a one-game playoff tomorrow afternoon at SBC Park.
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Craig Biggio led off the game with his second home run of the postseason and Roger Clemens had a strong beginning, giving the Houston Astros a 2-1 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals after four innings in Game 7 of the NL championship series on Thursday night.