Wolf pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and Lance Berkman hit a two-run home run as the Astros beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-0 on Wednesday night to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Houston pulled within 3˝ games of the National League wild card with four games left on its schedule, trailing the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot.
“This one was a good one for us,” Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. “We live to dance a few more days. We just have to keep winning and hope for divine intervention.”
Wolf (12-12) allowed eight hits, struck out seven batters and walked two as he improved to 6-2 in 12 starts since he was acquired from the San Diego Padres on July 22.
“He has been unbelievable,” Berkman said. “He’s a guy I’ve always had respect for and wanted us to sign. He has really solidified our pitching staff. I think he and LaTroy (Hawkins) are probably the two biggest reasons we are where we’re at right now.”
Cooper agreed.
“He has been a nice, nice addition for us,” he said. “I think only two outings has he not been up to par. His command was a little bit off tonight but he made pitches when he had to.”
Cincinnati put runners in scoring position in the second, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings but Wolf managed to work his way out of trouble every time.
“It was definitely a tough one for me,” Wolf said. “It seemed like I got two quick outs several times and then it would be crunch time. I was lucky enough to get out of those jams.”
Geoff Geary, Hawkins and Doug Brocail pitched the final 2 1/3 innings and allowed only two hits. Hawkins has not yielded an earned run in 22 games spanning 19 innings since he came to the Astros from the New York Yankees on July 30.
Cincinnati’s Ramon Ramirez (1-1) went five innings and allowed two runs and four hits in his fourth major league start.
“Ramirez got a little changeup happy in the first inning and he got one up high to Berkman,” manager Dusty Baker said. “He located his pitches much better after the first inning.”
Berkman drove in Kaz Matsui with a two-out drive to left in the first inning. It was his 29th homer of the season.
The Astros added three runs in the eighth. Hunter Pence walked with the bases loaded and Humberto Quintero added a two-run single.
