Chicago ? The St. Louis Cardinals clinched another NL Central title Thursday night in what has become a customary experience under manager Tony La Russa.

Jeff Suppan allowed six hits over eight-plus innings, and the Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs, 6-1, in a game called with two outs in the bottom of the ninth after a 58-minute rain delay.

St. Louis’ fourth NL Central title in the last six years made the Cardinals the first team to clinch a playoff berth this season. Now they hope to find their way back to the World Series, where they were swept last year by the Boston Red Sox.

The victory over the Cubs, coupled with Atlanta’s 6-4 victory over Philadelphia, gave St. Louis (94-54) the division title because Houston could at best match the Cardinals at 94 wins, with both teams assured of playoff berths at that figure. St. Louis has the tiebreaker because it clinched the season series against the Astros.

Astros 4, Marlins 1

Houston – Andy Pettitte allowed one run over eight innings to win his sixth straight start.

Brewers 14, Diamondbacks 2

Phoenix – Tomo Ohka pitched seven strong innings, Bill Hall had a career-high five hits, and Chad Moeller drove in four runs to lead Milwaukee.

Nationals 6, Mets 5, 10 innings

New York – Vinny Castilla drove in the go-ahead run with two outs in the 10th inning after Braden Looper and the Mets’ sloppy defense wasted a ninth-inning lead, and Washington beat New York to complete a three-game sweep.

Braves 6, Phillies 4

Philadelphia – Chipper Jones hit two homers and tied his career-high with five RBIs, helping Atlanta avert a four-game sweep by Philadelphia.

Jorge Sosa (12-3) allowed two runs and seven hits in 52â3 innings for the Braves, and Adam LaRoche had a solo homer.

Dodgers 7, Giants 1

San Francisco – Rookie Willy Aybar drove in a career-high three runs, Jose Cruz Jr. hit an RBI triple, and Derek Lowe won his third straight decision.

Late Wednesday game

Diamondbacks 2, Brewers 1, 12 innings

Phoenix – Alex Cintron singled with the bases loaded in the 12th inning to lift Arizona past Milwaukee.