CHICAGO (AP) -- No matter how big their lead, the Houston Astros
never think they have enough runs at Wrigley Field.

	Craig Biggio Second Base Houston Astros Profile
	2002 SEASON STATISTICS GM HR RBI R SB AVG 105 9 44 71 12 .263

Almost an afterthought when he hit it, Craig Biggio's solo homer
turned out to be the game-winner Wednesday as the Astros held on
for a 4-3 victory against the Cubs. It was Houston's second one-run
win in as many days.

''All of the games that we played this year against each other
have been real close,'' said Biggio, whose seventh-inning home run
gave Houston a 4-0 lead. ''It's never over here until the last out
is made.''

And sure enough, the Cubs rallied, just like they did Tuesday,
when they trailed by five runs and lost 5-4.

Sammy Sosa hit a two-run single with two outs in the eighth, and
pinch-hitter Angel Echevarria drove in another run off of rookie
Ricky Stone in the ninth.

But Stone, in his first major league save opportunity, struck
out Mark Bellhorn to preserve the victory.

''It turned out to be a big one,'' Houston manager Jimy Williams
said of Biggio's homer. ''He's got a lot of big hits for us this
year.''

Wade Miller (10-3) got a big victory, his career-best seventh
straight decision. He allowed two runs and five hits in 7 2/3
innings, struck out six and walked four.

Carlos Zambrano (2-4) allowed four runs -- two earned -- and four
hits in seven innings. He struck out seven and walked three.

''Miller pitched great,'' Sosa said. ''Pitching has been the key
in this series.''

With the way Miller was pitching early, it didn't look as if the
Astros would need much offense. He allowed only five runners in the
first seven innings.

The Cubs had runners in scoring position once, and Miller
retired 15 of 16 batters at one point.

''They were kidding me all day that I had to go a complete game
because (Octavio Dotel and Billy Wagner) were sitting out,'' Miller
said. ''It was good to go out there and pitch into the eighth
inning.''

But Miller tired in the eighth, walking pinch-hitter Roosevelt
Brown walked with two outs. Bellhorn singled and Bill Mueller
walked, loading the bases.

That brought up Sosa, whose two-run single up the middle cut
Houston's lead to 4-2. Pedro Borbon relieved Miller and quickly
snuffed out the rally by striking out Fred McGriff.

''I didn't bear down when I needed to and let it get away,''
Miller said. ''Luckily the bullpen saved me again.''

With Wagner getting the afternoon off after working four of the
previous five games, Stone was brought in for the ninth and got two
quick outs. But Alex Gonzalez singled and took second on a wild
pitch. Pinch-hitter Chris Stynes then drew a walk, bringing up
Echevarria.

Echevarria lined one to shallow right, the ball dropping just in
front of Richard Hidalgo for an RBI single. Stone then struck
Bellhorn out with four pitches.

''We haven't given up,'' Sosa said. ''It doesn't matter what the
score is, we're always trying to come back. We've got to start
thinking about it a little earlier.''

Zambrano only had one rough inning, but the Astros took
advantage of it.

With the Cubs trailing 1-0 in the third, Zambrano loaded the
bases with walks to Jose Vizcaino, Lance Berkman and Jeff Bagwell.
Daryle Ward followed with an RBI single.

One out later, Zambrano struck out Geoff Blum and should have
been out of the inning. But the ball glanced off the top of catcher
Joe Girardi's glove and rolled all the way to the backstop, scoring
a run and allowing Blum to take first.

''Unfortunately, they got ahead of us,'' Cubs interim manager
Bruce Kimm said, ''and we couldn't quite catch up.''

Game notes
Stone's appearance was his 61st of the season, tying
Charley Kerfeld's club record for a rookie. ... Astros SS Julio
Lugo will miss the rest of the season after having surgery
Wednesday on his broken left forearm. Lugo was hit by Kerry Wood on
Monday night. ... Sosa extended his hitting streak to nine games.
... Miller has never had a major league shutout. ... The Astros
have won five straight on the road.