Chicago ? Houston’s latest victory was a tough one for manager Phil Garner to sit through.

Brad Ausmus hit a two-run single in the eighth inning, rallying the Astros to a 3-2 victory Thursday and a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs.

The Astros earned their first three-game sweep at Wrigley Field since May 15-17, 2001. They have won four straight overall and eight of 11.

“A little frightening, but we got it done,” Garner said.

Chris Burke and Lance Berkman began the eighth with consecutive singles off Bob Howry (2-2). One out later, Preston Wilson hit a sharp grounder to Todd Walker, who is playing first in the absence of Derrek Lee, and his off-balance throwing error to second loaded the bases.

Ausmus then grounded a single to right field, giving Houston the lead. Berkman scored the winning run ahead of a poor throw from Jacque Jones.

Marlins 3, Braves 2

Miami – Cody Ross hit a two-run homer, Ricky Nolasco pitched seven strong innings, and Florida beat Atlanta to complete a three-game sweep. Atlanta, which has won a record 14 straight division titles, fell 13 games behind the first-place New York Mets in the NL East – its largest deficit since the streak started in 1991, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Giants 8, D’backs 2

Phoenix – Pedro Feliz had a career-high six RBIs, Matt Morris pitched a complete game, and San Francisco routed Arizona. The loss completed a 1-9 homestand for the reeling Diamondbacks, who dropped a game behind the first-place Dodgers.

Dodgers 7, Padres 3

San Diego – Chad Billingsley pitched impressively in his major-league debut and drove in two runs with his first hit. Billingsley, the Dodgers’ first-round pick in the June 2003 draft, left with the score tied at 2 in the sixth.

Mets 5, Phillies 4

Philadelphia – David Wright hit a three-run homer, and New York won its eighth straight game. Steve Trachsel pitched six effective innings.

Rockies 8, Nationals 1

Washington – Jason Jennings threw eight strong innings, and Brad Hawpe homered and drove in four runs, leading Colorado over Washington to complete a four-game sweep.

Cardinals 6, Pirates 5

Pittsburgh – Chris Duncan tripled and doubled to key a pair of two-run rallies, and St. Louis won despite another subpar start by Mark Mulder.