MLB: St. Louis 6, Houston 1

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HOUSTON, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- A two-run homer by Peter Kozma and a solid start by Lance Lynn carried the St. Louis Cardinals past the Houston Astros 6-1 Monday.

Lynn (17-7) allowed just one hit over seven innings and struck out nine in the Cardinals' third consecutive win.

St. Louis maintained a lead of 3 1/2 games over the Dodgers and Brewers in the sprint for the second NL wild card berth.

Yadier Molina added a solo homer to the nine-hit St. Louis attack. Matt Holliday also had two RBI on a seventh-inning single.

Scott Moore drove in Houston's only run with a single in the second inning that cut the Cardinals' lead to 3-1.

Fernando Abad (0-6) remained winless for the Astros after giving up one run on a walk and two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. Abad departed the game in the second inning with a strained right oblique muscle.