Morris Baffles Astros

St. Louis Cardinal righthander Matt Morris is now 12-5 after shutting down the Houston Astros yesterday 4-1. Morris allowed just a run on five hits in eight innings of work, walking two and striking out nine. At the plate, Mark McGwire snapped a 1-1 6th-inning tie with a titanic 441-foot three-run blast to dead centerfield off loser Wade Miller (11-5). Placido Polanco also homered for the cardinals, a solo shot in the first. Mike Timlin closed the door for his third save of the season. With the win the Cardinals creep to within seven games of the first place Chicago Cubs in the National League Central.