The Cubs edged a half game ahead of Milwaukee in the heated National League Central race last night, shelling the Astros' Woody Williams (8-15) for six runs on four longballs to Houston's two. Chicago's defense stepped it up as well, pulling in key double plays to help Steve Trachsel lock down his first win in eight years for the Cubs, writes the AP.
At .514, the Cubs have the lowest average of any division leader, which would keep the fiercely contested NL wild-card spot all but out of their reach if the Brewers were to overtake them again in the division. The Astros, 5-10 since dumping manager Phil Garner, have settled to the bottom of the NL Central, two games behind the Pirates. (More MLB stories.)