Pinch-hitter Darin Erstad hit a game-ending home run in the ninth inning to lift Houston to a 5-4 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night but the Astros were still eliminated from playoff contention.

Houston entered 3 1/2 games back of the New York Mets and Milwaukee in the NL wild-card chase. The Mets lost to the Florida Marlins but the Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs to end the Astros’ faint playoff hopes.

Erstad’s third career game-winning homer bailed out closer Jose Valverde, who gave up the tying run in the top of the ninth.