Cubs 7, Astros 5,

CHICAGO – Craig Biggio dropped Moises Alou’s flyball, allowing two runs to score in the seventh inning sending the Chicago Cubs to a 7-5 win over the Houston Astros.

Alou earlier made a two-base error of his own, knocking a ball into the ivy with his glove, as Houston took a 4-1 lead in Andy Pettitte’s first start in a month.

But the Cubs rallied against the Houston bullpen.

After Carlos Beltran put Houston ahead 5-4 in the top of the seventh with his first homer since joining the Astros in a trade with the Royals, the Cubs came back.

David Weathers (5-4) gave up a double to pinch-hitter Tom Goodwin and a tying single to Mark Grudzielanek.

After Michael Barrett singled to put runners at first and third, Dan Miceli relieved and retired Sammy Sosa on a pop. Alou then lofted a fly ball to deep left and Biggio – who switched to left from center when Beltran joined the team – let the ball go off his glove for a two-base error.

Francis Beltran (2-1), despite giving up Carlos Beltran’s homer, was the winner. LaTroy Hawkins pitched the ninth and got Beltran to ground to first with runners on first and second for his 11th save in 14 opportunities.

Pettitte, activated from the disabled list Tuesday and pitching for the first time since May 26 when he left a game against the Cubs with a strained left forearm, lasted five innings and left with a 4-3 lead.

He gave up just four hits, including a two-run homer to Corey Patterson, walked three and struck out seven – including Sosa three times.

But Aramis Ramirez homered in the sixth off Kirk Bullinger to tie the game.

Houston took a 4-1 lead in the fourth when Adam Everett circled the bases after he doubled and Alou tried to scoop the ball but knocked it into the ivy at Wrigley Field.

As Alou threw up his arms to say he couldn’t find the ball – it was visible just a few feet from him – Everett kept running to score and Alou was charged with a two-base error.

Jeff Kent started the Houston fourth with a double to left-center but pulled up lame running to second with a strained right hamstring and was replaced by pinch-runner Jose Vizcaino.

Morgan Ensberg then hit a long drive to center and Patterson, retreated and reached up for it on the run, but the ball popped off his glove, going for an RBI triple. Ensberg then scored on Everett’s double that Alou knocked into the ivy.

Patterson’s 10th homer got the Cubs to a run in the bottom of the fourth.

Notes: Beltran’s single in the first to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, including all four he’s played since coming to the Astros from the Royals. … Cubs RHP Kerry Wood is slated to throw another simulated game Thursday as he works his way back from a triceps injury.

AP-ES-06-29-04 2259EDT