Chicago ? Carlos Zambrano escaped a big jam against baseball’s biggest hitter and he wasn’t shy about celebrating.

With the bases loaded and the Cubs up by four runs in the fifth inning, Zambrano got Barry Bonds on a soft liner to the mound which ended the inning and Chicago went on to win, 9-4, Thursday.

The excitable Zambrano pounded himself in the chest and pumped his fists twice as he walked off the field before tossing the ball about 12 rows into the stands behind the Cubs dugout.

“Well, I just try to be myself. I don’t try to (embarrass) anybody. He’s a big man in baseball,” Zambrano said. “It was a situation that was a big deal in the game. I was happy.”

The Cubs right-hander said after the game that he didn’t expect Bonds to be annoyed by his antics.

He was wrong.

“I don’t get upset about things like that, brother. He will learn respect eventually. I promise you,” Bonds said. “He’ll learn respect, I guarantee that.”

Zambrano won for the third straight start and Sammy Sosa hit a three-run homer and had an RBI double in the first as the Cubs took two of three from the Giants. Chicago has won four of six from Dusty Baker’s old club this season.

Sosa’s 23rd homer of the season capped a four-run sixth inning for the Cubs. Sosa, who missed 24 games earlier in the season because of a toe problem and the corked-bat suspension, had 13 homers in July, the most in the major leagues, and 29 RBIs.

“He’s a quality guy. As I told you before, nobody loses it that quickly,” Baker said. “Sammy missed a lot of time. It’s just a matter of repetition, it’s just a matter of him having at bats. Sammy Sosa is a long way from through.”

Moises Alou hit a two-run double in a four-run first inning against Jim Brower (7-3). Scheduled starter Kirk Rueter was scratched prior to the game because of stiffness in his left shoulder.

Zambrano (9-8) allowed four runs, nine hits and five walks in eight innings.

Braves 7, Astros 4

Atlanta — Javy Lopez hit his 30th homer, a three-run shot that finished off a six-run first in the game between division leaders. Shane Reynolds (9-5) allowed four runs and six hits in seven innings. The 10-year veteran, who spent his entire career with Houston before he was cut at the end of spring training, got a no-decision May 1 in his only other start against his former team. John Smoltz pitched a scoreless ninth for his 40th save. Wade Miller (7-10) gave up six runs — five earned — and six hits in two innings.

Phillies 7, Dodgers 3

Philadelphia — Tomas Perez and Placido Polanco hit three-run homers in the fifth as Philadelphia completed a three-game sweep. The Dodgers have scored eight runs in their last seven games, going 3-4 in that span. They had gone seven games in a row without scoring more than two runs. Brandon Duckworth (4-5) allowed one run and four hits in seven innings. He had been 0-4 in 10 starts since May 17. Odalis Perez (5-7) gave up six runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Reds 5, Rockies 4 (10)

Cincinnati — Jason LaRue homered off Brian Fuentes (2-1) leading off the 10th. Cincinnati has gone 2-1 this week while trading four players to save money and get prospects. John Riedling (1-3) pitched two hitless innings for the win, the second straight in 10 innings for the Reds.

Expos 3, Cardinals 2

Montreal — Vladimir Guerrero homered and drove in all three runs, moving past Gary Carter into second place on Montreal’s career homer list with 221, four behind Andre Dawson. Zach Day (5-4), in his second start since a stint on the DL caused by a strained right shoulder, allowed one run and five hits in six innings. Rocky Biddle pitched a perfect ninth for his 26th save. Woody Williams (14), who had won his four previous starts, failed in his attempt to become the NL’s second 15-game winner.

Padres 10, Pirates 7

Pittsburgh — Gary Matthews Jr. homered and Mark Loretta drove in three runs during a four-hit day as San Diego overcome three Pittsburgh homers. Josh Fogg (6-6) gave up four runs and six hits in four innings.

Brewers 4, Mets 3

New York — Matt Kinney (7-8) allowed one run and four hits in six-plus innings to win for the first time since June 27. Scott Podsednik and Eddie Perez hit RBI singles for the Brewers, who took three of four in the series between last-place teams. Rookie Aaron Heilman (1-4) gave up two runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings.