Astros 7, Phillies 6: Justin Maxwell and Matt Dominguez each drove in a pair of runs to highlight a four-run seventh inning as major league-worst Houston won three of four from visiting Philadelphia to dampen its postseason aspirations.

Scott Moore belted a two-run homer and Carlos Corporan added a solo shot for the Astros, who survived Domonic Brown's two-run double in the eighth and thwarted a ninth-inning rally. Houston, which temporarily staved off its second consecutive 100-loss season, improved to 8-7 in September after winning just five of 27 games in August.

Ryan Howard ripped a two-run double and Jimmy Rollins collected three hits and scored twice for the Phillies, who fell four games behind St. Louis in the race for the second wild card after the Cardinals beat Los Angeles later Sunday.

After Roy Halladay exited to start the seventh inning, the Astros loaded the bases against relievers Antonio Bastardo (2-5) and Phillippe Aumont. Maxwell continued his solid series by depositing an offering from Aumont into shallow right for a double to plate Jose Altuve and Jimmy Paredes. Dominguez promptly followed with a two-run single to bust the game open.

Wesley Wright (2-2) was credited with the win after tossing a scoreless inning. Wilton Lopez, who was the sixth Astros' pitcher, stranded Rollins at second base in the ninth for his sixth save.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Phillies C Carlos Ruiz returned after sitting out of the starting lineup on Saturday's game as he deals with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Ruiz went 0-for-4. ... Moore's blast was his eighth of the season and first since Aug. 15. ... The Phillies will travel to New York to open a three-game set versus the Mets on Monday.