Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Jason Marquis tossed 6 2/3 strong innings, and the Chicago Cubs held off the Houston Astros, 4-3, in the middle of a three- game set at Wrigley Field.

Marquis (11-8) held the Astros to two runs on five hits, fanning five and walking one. Derrek Lee finished 2-for-4 with a solo homer, and Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run home run for the Cubs, who have won two of three, and maintained a 1 1/2 game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. Milwaukee beat Pittsburgh later on Saturday.

"In the playoffs, it's pitching and defense," said Derrek Lee. "We're getting our fair share of those."

Troy Patton (0-2) was the hard-luck loser for the Astros, letting up only three hits and three runs -- two earned -- in six innings, fanning three and walking one. Carlos Lee went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs, and Luke Scott hit a solo homer for the Astros, who had won three straight coming in.

Scott's solo shot with two outs in the second posted Houston to the early lead, but the Cubs tied it up in the third. Alfonso Soriano worked a two-out walk, and Ryan Theriot doubled to center. Soriano was able to score on Hunter Pence's throwing error, knotting the game at 1-1.

Ramirez followed a Derrek Lee single with one out in the sixth with his 19th homer of the season, a blast to left, putting the Cubs on top 3-1.

"This year it seems the wind is blowing in more than ever," said Ramirez of the Cubs power struggles.

Houston answered in the seventh, as Carlos Lee roped a lead-off double to left, moved over to third on a Mark Loretta ground out, and came home on Scott's ground out, cutting the deficit to one run.

Derrek Lee got that run right back for the Cubs, though, belting his 16th homer of the season to left to lead off the eighth.

Carlos Lee's solo homer with one out in the ninth, his 27th of the season, made things interesting, but Cubs closer Ryan Dempster rebounded to retire Loretta and Scott, clinching his 24th save and the win.