MLB: Houston 3, St. Louis 0

HOUSTON, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Bud Norris and three relievers combined to throw a seven-hit shutout Wednesday, giving the Houston Astros a 3-0 victory over St. Louis.

Despite the loss, the Cardinals can do no worse than tie for the top spot in the National League Central. One more St. Louis win or one more loss by the Chicago Cubs during the remainder of the season will give the Cardinals their first division title in three years.

Houston halted a nine-game losing streak and won for the first time under interim Manager Dave Clark, who took over for the dismissed Cecil Cooper Monday.

Norris (6-3) allowed six hits and struck out three in winning his third straight decision. Jose Valverde earned his 24th save.

Miguel Tejada singled in Houston's first run in the third and Carlos Lee had the other two RBI -- on a sacrifice fly in the sixth and a single in the eighth.

John Smoltz (1-2) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on five hits in six innings.