San Diego ? Southern California was incredibly agreeable to Derrek Lee, Carlos Zambrano and the rest of the resurgent Chicago Cubs.

Zambrano combined with two relievers on a four-hitter, and Lee, who has the best batting average in the majors, had three more hits to lead the Cubs to a 4-0 victory over San Diego on Sunday, their ninth win in 10 games.

The Cubs took three of four from the NL West-leading Padres – including two shutouts – and went 6-1 on a swing through Los Angeles and San Diego.

The trip started three days after Mark Prior sustained a compression fracture near his right elbow when he was hit with a line drive. He joined fellow starter Kerry Wood on the disabled list.

“Without a doubt, with all the adversity we had, I think people expected us to go the other way,” Lee said. “We haven’t. We’ve kept our heads up, and we’ve been playing great baseball.”

Lee went 3-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI and a run, raising his average to .385. Neifi Perez also went 3-for-5, extending his hitting streak to 14 games, and scored twice.

Lee had 16 hits on the seven-game trip, and Perez had 14.

“The key was for us to start swinging the bats,” Lee said. “We weren’t scoring runs. Now we’re getting the pitchers the lead, and they’re holding it. That’s good baseball.”

The Padres fell to 1-4 in June after going 22-6 in May, a club record for wins in a month.

“We have to get back on track,” manager Bruce Bochy said after the Padres lost a home series for the first time this season. “We need to win some ballgames.”

Zambrano (4-3) pitched out of two jams and didn’t allow an earned run for the third time in four starts. He allowed just three singles in seven innings, struck out seven and walked four.

San Diego’s Woody Williams (2-3) lost in his first start since May 1. He came off the disabled list and started in place of ace Jake Peavy, who has an upper respiratory infection.

Giants 6-1, Mets 3-12

New York – Cliff Floyd homered twice and drove in four runs, Kris Benson pitched three-hit ball for seven innings, and the Mets routed San Francisco for a doubleheader split.

In the opener, Brett Tomko (5-7) just about ended San Francisco’s eight-game losing streak all by himself. He hit a three-run double and pitched into the eighth.

David Wright homered and scored three times in the nightcap for the Mets, and Victor Diaz also connected. Jose Reyes finished with three hits and scored three times.

Kazuhisa Ishii (1-4) lost in the opener.

Chicago starter Carlos Zambrano pumps his fist after getting the final out in the sixth inning with two San Diego runners in scoring position. The Cubs blanked the Padres, 4-0, Sunday in San Diego.

Nationals 6, Marlins 3

Washington – Ryan Church hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, helping Washington complete a sweep of Florida. The victory, coupled with Atlanta’s loss to Pittsburgh, put a team called Washington in first place this late in the season for the first time since 1933, when the Washington Senators won the American League pennant. Church’s homer off reliever Matt Perisho broke a 3-all tie and gave the Nationals their seventh victory in eight games. They trailed in all seven, including 2-0 Sunday against Marlins starter A.J. Burnett, who appeared to be cruising toward a shutout before allowing three runs in the seventh.

Astros 6, Cardinals 4

Houston – Roger Clemens won his 332nd game with some rare run support. Morgan Ensberg and Jason Lane homered during a five-run first inning, and Willy Taveras had a career-high four hits to help Clemens (4-3) overcome some early struggles and outlast St. Louis lefty Mark Mulder, who lost his second straight after a seven-game winning streak. Russ Springer and Dan Wheeler combined to pitch three scoreless innings, and Brad Lidge got three outs for his 13th save in 15 chances.

Pirates 5, Braves 2

Pittsburgh – Rob Mackowiak hit a go-ahead two-run homer, Matt Lawton added a solo shot, and Oliver Perez pitched seven strong innings. Perez (4-4) allowed just four hits and won his third consecutive decision since missing a start with shoulder soreness. He struck out seven and walked three to help the Pirates win for the fifth time in seven games.

Phillies 7, D’backs 6

Philadelphia – Mike Lieberthal hit a disputed three-run homer, and Randy Wolf pitched seven solid innings to lead the Phillies to their sixth straight victory. Arizona’s Luis Gonzalez hit his 300th career home run – a solo shot in the eighth off reliever Rheal Cormier. Pat Burrell homered for the Phillies, who have won nine of 10. The Diamondbacks lost their fifth straight. Wolf (6-4) allowed two runs on five hits en route to his fifth straight win.

Dodgers 10, Brewers 6

Los Angeles – Jeff Kent had four hits and four RBIs, and Jayson Werth had a two-run triple among his four hits for the Dodgers. Kent went 4-for-4 and drove in a run with each of his hits, helping the defending NL West champions back to the .500 mark at home (15-15). Brad Penny (3-2) won for the first time in six starts. The right-hander allowed five runs and 11 hits in 51â3 innings. Carlos Lee went 5-for-5 for Milwaukee, but Wes Obermueller (1-1) lasted only 22â3 innings in the loss.

Rockies 8, Reds 6

Denver – Todd Greene homered and had three RBIs in Colorado’s fourth straight victory. Blaine Neal (1-1) earned the win, and Brian Fuentes pitched a perfect ninth for his fifth save. Clint Barmes added a solo homer for Colorado, while Sean Casey went deep for the Reds. Ryan Wagner (2-2) took the loss for Cincinnati, which has lost 14 of 17 on the road.