"Their names forever tied to Astros history for very different reasons, Braves closer Billy Wagner and manager Bobby Cox made their final appearances in Houston without fanfare in Atlanta's 8-2 extra-inning victory Wednesday at Minute Maid Park.

Wagner and Cox plan on retiring at season's end, and with the playoffs out of the question for the Astros, the series finale marked the end of Atlanta's only visit this year.

Wagner, 39, owns the Astros record for career saves with 225. A first-round pick by the Astros in 1993, he made his big league debut in September 1995 before going on to pitch eight full seasons for them from 1996-2003.

"There will be some memories," Wagner said of his years with the Astros. "They'll be good."

Cox, who is in his 21st consecutive season and 26th overall as Atlanta's manager, was the man behind the team that booted the Astros from the first round of the playoffs in 1997, 1999 and 2001."