Christy Mathewson pitched well, and the St. Louis Wizards took advantage of a big error by Jeff Bagwell, topping the Houston Hoots 4-2 to keep their lead in the National League to just 2 games. Bagwell hit a solo home run in the 2nd inning to get Houston up early, but Duke Snider responded with a solo homer of his own against Pete Alexander in the 3rd. Mike Schmidt led off the 7th with a single, but Alexander retired Joe Morgan. Ozzie Smith followed with a sharp grounder to Bagwell, but the ball bounced off his glove. After Snider flew out, Willie Mays followed with a 2-run single to give St. Louis the lead. Morgan drove in Schmidt with a double in the 8th to put the Wizards up 4-1. Oscar Charleston led off the bottom of the inning with a double, and Bagwell drove him in to cut the St. Louis lead, but the rally fell short. Rich Gossage struck out the side in the 9th to earn his 8th save, sealing the win for the Wizards. Mathewson allowed just 2 runs on 10 hits in 8 innings to improve to 4-2. With 8 games left in the season, Houston holds a 2-game lead in the National League over Los Angeles. St. Louis is 6 games back.