around the National League

Brewers rookie leads win over Cubs

MILWAUKEE -- Glendon Rusch pitched seven strong innings, and rookie Alex Sanchez hit a bases-loaded triple as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs 6-2 Friday night to win a matchup of the NL's worst teams.

The Brewers (13-29) have won just four of 12, and all four have come against the Cubs (13-26), who have dropped a season-high eight consecutive games.

Rusch (3-3) gave up two runs on six hits and improved to 5-1 lifetime against the Cubs. He also defeated Chicago at Wrigley Field last week.

Sanchez, who drew manager Jerry Royster's ire Thursday for failing to run out a bunt that led to an easy double play, cleared the bases and gave Milwaukee a 4-0 lead when he lined a fastball from Matt Clement (1-3) into right-center for a standup triple with one out in the fifth.

Astros 7, Pirates 4

HOUSTON -- Jeff Bagwell hit a three-run homer, and the Houston Astros extended their winning streak to a season-high six games Friday night with a 7-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Trailing 4-2 in the sixth, Julio Lugo walked and went to third on Craig Biggio's single. Bagwell then connected off Ron Villone (2-5) for his ninth home run of the season, giving Houston a 5-4 lead.

Bagwell went 3-for-4 and scored twice. He tied Yogi Berra for 57th place on the career list with his 358th home run.

Ricky Stone (2-1) pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings for the victory. Octavio Dotel worked the ninth for his first save.