Astros general manager Tim Purpura glanced at the National League Central standings on Thursday and couldn't believe his eyes. He then searched his mouth for words to describe his team being tied for last place. After winning seven of 11 games heading into the All-Star break, the Astros were swept by the Chicago Cubs and lost two of three earlier this week at Washington. That dropped them into a last-place tie with Cincinnati, which won Thursday to leave the Astros (40-55) alone at the bottom of the Central.