HOUSTON—Hunter Pence drove in the game-winning run with a double off Bob Howry in bottom of the ninth inning and gave the Houston Astros a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night.

Carlos Lee hit a solo homer and Brian Moehler pitched seven effective innings for the Astros, who have won four of their last five games.

Miguel Tejada led off the Houston ninth with a one-hop, ground-rule double into the seats in right. Pence lined the first pitch he saw from Howry (3-3) to the gap in left center.

Tejada hesitated, then sprinted home, beating the throw from center fielder Jim Edmonds. Pence jumped in the air and pumped his fist at second as the rest of the Astros mobbed Tejada at the plate.

Geoff Geary (2-1) pitched two perfect innings in relief for the win.



Reds 5, Mets 2

CINCINNATI—Bronson Arroyo allowed four hits over eight innings, and Cincinnati snapped New York’s 10-game winning streak.

The Mets’ run ended one win shy of the franchise record.



Phillies 4, Marlins 2

MIAMI—Jamie Moyer beat Florida for the 10th time in as many career starts, allowing two runs and four hits in six innings.

All of the 45-year-old Moyer’s games against the Marlins have come in the past three years. He defeated them for the third time since June 1, and his ERA in five lifetime starts in Miami is 1.34.



Braves 7, Nationals 6

ATLANTA—Brian McCann’s three-run double gave Atlanta the lead in the third inning, and the Braves survived a ninth-inning rally.

Tim Hudson (10-7) gave up nine hits and five runs in 6 2-3 innings, but he improved to 8-1 in 12 career starts against Washington.



Rockies 5, Pirates 2

DENVER—Matt Holliday and Brad Hawpe homered, and Seth Smith hit an inside-the-park home run to lead Colorado over Pittsburgh.

Glendon Rusch (2-1) pitched 5 2-3 innings and gave up two runs in winning his second straight start since being recalled from Triple-A on July 5.