Chicago ? The Houston Astros must like drama.

The offense wasted several scoring opportunities, and reliever Mike Gallo gave up a two-run homer to Jeromy Burnitz in the seventh inning, giving the Chicago Cubs a 3-2 victory Sunday that cut Houston’s NL wild-card lead to one game over Philadelphia.

Derrek Lee also connected for the Cubs, who took two of three from the Astros.

“I think we want to take it down to the wire,” Houston manager Phil Garner said. “That’s the way we’ve been playing it, so that’s what we’re going to do. We’ve just got to buckle down and play good ball now. We’re still in control of our destiny.”

The Astros have an off day before a two-game series in St. Louis, then finish the season with four home games against the Cubs. The Phillies play host to the New York Mets for three games before traveling to Washington for their last three.

Reliever Chad Qualls got in trouble quickly in the seventh, allowing a leadoff single to Lee. With two outs, Gallo (0-1) relieved. He hadn’t allowed a run in 51â3 innings spanning eight outings, but Burnitz sent a 2-2 pitch over the wall.

It was Burnitz’s first homer in more than a week, and it snapped an 0-for-12 streak.

“I’ve been battling lately,” Burnitz said.

Jerome Williams (6-9) allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings.

Phillies 6, Reds 3

Cincinnati – Jimmy Rollins hit a leadoff home run and fell a double short of the cycle.

Braves 5, Marlins 3

Atlanta – Marcus Giles hit a tying two-run homer, then drove in the go-ahead run with a seventh-inning sacrifice fly.

Giants 6, Rockies 2

Denver – Barry Bonds went hitless in a surprise start, but San Francisco still kept its slim playoff hopes alive.

Diamondbacks 4, Padres 3, 10 innings

Phoenix – Chad Tracy singled home Andy Green in the 10th, and Arizona dropped San Diego (77-78) below .500.

Mets 6, Nationals 5

Washington – Mike Piazza hit two of New York’s four homers, and the Mets eliminated Washington from playoff contention.

Cardinals 2, Brewers 0

Milwaukee – Jeff Suppan allowed six hits in eight innings, and Jim Edmonds homered.

Dodgers 9, Pirates 2

Los Angeles – Derek Lowe pitched six solid innings, and pinch-hitter Jason Phillips drove in the go-ahead runs in a six-run sixth.