CHICAGO -- Corey Patterson hit a tying, two-run homer in the eighth inning and a game-winning shot in the 12th, giving the Chicago Cubs a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.\nThe Cubs remained a half-game behind the San Francisco Giants in the NL wild-card race.\nAfter retiring Michael Barrett and Jose Macias in the 12th inning, Pirates reliever Brian Meadows (2-4) gave up Patterson's homer to center. It was Patterson's 23rd of the season, his second game-winning shot.\nWith the Cubs trailing 2-0 in the eighth, Pirates reliever Salomon Torres hit Barrett with a pitch leading off. One out later, Patterson homered to left off Torres to tie the game.\nTodd Wellemeyer (2-1) worked a scoreless 12th inning for the win. The Chicago bullpen pitched six scoreless innings of relief. Sammy Sosa made a diving catch in right field on Ty Wigginton's drive in the 11th and doubled off Daryle Ward to end the inning.\nWith the wind blowing out at 10 mph, Pirates starter Josh Fogg kept the ball down and pitched 6 2-3 scoreless innings. He extended his streak to seven starts without allowing a home run.
Astros 7, Cardinals 5\nST. LOUIS -- Roger Clemens won his 327th game with seven strong innings, and the Houston Astros kept pace in the NL wild-card race by holding on for a 7-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.\nLance Berkman matched a career high with four hits, including a three-run double that highlighted a five-run fourth for the Astros, who have won 15 of 18 and remained a game behind San Francisco, 3-2 winners at Milwaukee, for the wild card.\nTony Womack had three hits, a stolen base and scored on a first-inning double play for St. Louis, which has lost five of seven.\nClemens (17-4) passed Eddie Plank and moved into a tie with John Clarkson (1882-94) for 10th on the career list, while improving to 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in four starts against the Cardinals this year. He's tied with teammate Roy Oswalt and the Marlins' Carl Pavano for the NL victory lead and is tied for the major league lead in winning percentage with the Athletics' Mark Mulder, also 17-4.
