MLB: Houston 4, St. Louis 3

HOUSTON, July 22 (UPI) -- Miguel Tejada singled home Jeff Keppinger from second with two out in the ninth Wednesday, rallying Houston to a 3-2 victory over St. Louis.

The Astros scored twice in the ninth to further tighten the race in the National League Central. The Cardinals had their division lead reduced to a half game over the Chicago Cubs, who recorded a 10-5 win over Philadelphia earlier in the day. Houston is only one game behind the Cardinals and Milwaukee, despite losing Wednesday, is only 2 1/2 games off the lead.

Houston managed eight hits in eight innings against starter Chris Carpenter, but still faced a 3-2 deficit.

Ryan Franklin (2-1) was called on to nail down the victory, but he gave up a lead-off single to Ivan Rodriguez in the ninth and Chris Coste doubled Rodriguez home to forge a tie.

Keppinger came on to pinch-hit for Jose Valverde and singled, sending Coste to third. After Michael Bourn flew out to shallow left, Kazuo Matsui hit a grounder to second. Coste tried to score the winning run on the grounder, but was thrown out at home.

That brought up Tejada, who stroked a 2-2 pitch to left that brought in Keppinger.

Valverde (1-2) got the win after pitching the top of the ninth.