Cardinals 6, Cubs 7
Tony Womack singled in the go-ahead run and the Chicago Cubs ended a spirited five-game series by beating the St. Louis Cardinals 7-6 on Thursday despite Sammy Sosa's ejection.
The Cubs won four of five and moved within a half-game of idle Houston for first place in MLB's NL Central. St. Louis is third, a game behind the Astros.
The series featured a little bit of everything: A rain delay of more than four hours Monday; a day-night doubleheader which included a 15-inning opener; the ejections of three Cubs players and pitching coach Larry Rothschild; a shouting match between managers Dusty Baker and Tony La Russa; and a stunning comeback by the Cubs to win Wednesday after trailing 6-0.
Marlins 5, Pirates 1
In Miami, Miguel Cabrera and Alex Gonzalez emerged from slumps and sparked a four-run seventh inning to help Florida beat Pittsburgh.
Cabrera singled home the go-ahead run, and Gonzalez followed with his 16th home run. Cabrera began the game in a 1-for-33 slump, and Gonzalez was 1-for-25.
Pinch-hitter Ramon Castro, batting for the first time since he was charged with raping a woman in his Pittsburgh hotel room last week, hit his fourth home run in the seventh.
The first of Florida's three homers was by Juan Pierre.
Phillies 6, Mets 5
In Philadelphia, Mike Lieberthal's two-out RBI single in the ninth inning lifted the Phillies over New York.
The Phillies overcame another blown save by Jose Mesa to win for the sixth time in seven games and remain tied with Florida for the NL wild-card lead.
Prentice Redman, playing his fourth game in the majors, led off the ninth against Mesa with his first career homer to tie it at 5.
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