(AP) -- Jaime Garcia pitched seven sharp innings and Jon Jay drove in two runs to help the St. Louis Cardinals improve their playoff chances with a 4-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.
The Cardinals won their fourth straight and extended their winning streak over the last-place Astros to a franchise-best 10 games.
They also moved 4½ games ahead of Milwaukee in the race forthe second NL wild card. The Brewers lost in Cincinnati 4-2.
The Dodgers, who played later in San Diego, began the day 3½ back.
With seven games remaining, St. Louis is closing in on the NL's final available postseason spot. Atlanta clinched at least a wild-card berth by beating Miami 4-3 earlier Tuesday night.
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