Blum went long when Kerry Wood, who had walked Lance Berkman to lead off the 11th, offered him a low fast ball in the middle of the plate. The mistake left Wood with a 4-3 record.

Wesley Wright (4-3) notched the win with two scoreless innings of relief and Jose Valverde worked around a one-out single for his 39th save.

Hunter Pence had a four-hit night for the Astros, David Newhan and Miguel Tejada each had two runs batted in.

Chicago starter Carlos Zambrano, who missed his Sunday start against Philadelphia with a sore arm, lasted five innings, giving up three runs. He is to see a team orthopedist Wednesday.

The Cubs got homers from Geovany Soto, Alfonso Soriano, Mark DeRosa and Jim Edmonds but still lost a season-high fourth in a row. They remain 4 1/2 games ahead of Milwaukee in the National League Central. The Brewers lost to the Mets Tuesday.