Guaranteed at least a tie in the NL wild-card race after another gritty performance by Roger Clemens, the Houston Astros didn’t even wait around for the outcome of Philadelphia’s game.

The Astros already knew they would have a chance to clinch the NL’s last playoff spot on the final scheduled day of the regular season – just like they did last year.

“I don’t think that guys need to even concern themselves with if Washington is going to help us or not,” Clemens said. “Just go out there and do it.”

Clemens received a little run support and allowed one run in seven innings while pitching on a still-sore left hamstring, leading the Astros over the Chicago Cubs, 3-1, Saturday and putting Houston on the brink of a return to the playoffs.

After the Astros won, they knew their former closer, Billy Wagner, was on the mound for Philadelphia in Washington. The Houston clubhouse had pretty much cleared out before the Phillies wrapped up their 8-4 victory to remain one game back in the wild-card chase.

Phillies 8, Nationals 4

Washington – Chase Utley homered twice, Ryan Howard hit an upper-deck shot and a three-run double, and Philadelphia beat Washington to send the NL wild-card chase down to the regular season’s final day.

Jimmy Rollins slapped a double just inside the bag at first on the game’s first pitch to extend his hitting streak to 35 games.

Dodgers 2, Padres 1

San Diego – Edwin Jackson and five relievers combined on a three-hitter for Los Angeles, which snapped San Diego’s four-game winning streak. The Padres fell to 81-80.

Pirates 5, Brewers 1

Pittsburgh – Kip Wells allowed just an earned run in 62â3 innings to avoid becoming the Pirates’ first 19-game loser in 20 years, leading Pittsburgh over Milwaukee. Wells (8-18) struck out two and walked four.

Cardinals 9, Reds 6

St. Louis – Larry Walker hit two home runs, and St. Louis moved within a game of becoming baseball’s only 100-win team. Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer, his 41st.

Marlins 6, Braves 4

Miami – Josh Willingham and pinch-hitter Lenny Harris both had two-run singles in the eighth inning, rallying Florida past Atlanta.

Diamondbacks 2, Giants 1, 11 innings

San Francisco – Royce Clayton lined a tiebreaking double in the 11th inning for his fourth hit of the day, and Arizona won its season-best seventh straight game.

Mets 3, Rockies 1

New York – David Wright hit his 27th home run, helping New York beat Colorado.