The win brought the Cardinals (50-39) to within 2 1/2 games of the first-place Cubs (52-36) in the National League Central.

St. Louis rallied against Chicago closer Kerry Wood (4-2), who blew his fifth save of the season in 27 chances. Ankiel also homered in the sixth, when St. Louis rallied to tie it at 2. St. Louis reliever Kyle McClellan (1-3) picked up his first major league victory in relief.

Chicago infielder Aramis Ramirez broke a 2-2 in the eighth with a two-run homer.

Brewers 2, Pirates 1 At Milwaukee, Prince Fielder singled in Rickie Weeks with one out in the bottom of the ninth to lead Milwaukee past Pittsburgh.

Pirates reliever Tyler Yates (3-2) was in trouble from the start, walking Weeks to lead off the inning. J.J. Hardy’s sacrifice bunt ended his 16-game hitting streak but put the winning run in scoring position and Yates intentionally walked Ryan Braun to bring up Fielder.

Astros 6, Braves 1 At Atlanta, Mark Loretta had three doubles and drove in four runs and, with Ty Wigginton batting leadoff for the first time this season and Houston scored four times in the first two innings to beat Atlanta.

Wigginton walked and scored in a two-run second inning against Braves left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes (3-7), helping Houston snap a four-game losing streak.

Even with Lance Berkman going 0-for-4 with a walk, the Astros had more than enough offense to beat the punchless Braves, who managed only four hits and have lost six of seven.

Reds 3, Nationals 2 At Cincinnati, Brandon Phillips singled in Jerry Hairston Jr. from second base in the ninth inning to lift Cincinnati over Washington.

After Jesus Flores’ ninth-inning sacrifice fly tied it at 2 and handed Francisco Cordero (4-1) his fourth blown save of the season, Hairston led off the ninth with a single off of Joel Hanrahan (5-3). He stole second, but Jay Bruce struck out and Ken Griffey Jr. was intentionally walked.

Luis Ayala came in to face Phillips, who grounded a single through the hole into left field to score Hairston.

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