HOUSTON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Andy Pettitte won his sixth consecutive start Thursday as Houston moved into first place in the NL wild card standings with a 4-1 victory over Florida.
Craig Biggio homered and finished with two RBI, and Brad Ausmus also homered for the Astros, who are a half-game ahead of the Marlins and Phillies in the wild card standings.
Pettitte (16-9) allowed five hits and a run with a walk and five strikeouts in eight innings. The left-hander won for the 13th time in his last 15 decisions and lowered his ERA to 2.43, third in the National League behind teammate Roger Clemens and St. Louis' Chris Carpenter.
Jason Vargas (5-4) gave up four hits and three runs in five innings in the loss. Miguel Cabrera hit his 32nd homer of the season for the Marlins.
