Cubs 5, Pirates 1

Pittsburgh – Carlos Zambrano pitched himself out of an extended slump with one of his best starts of the season, limiting Pittsburgh to two hits and a run over six-plus innings.

The Cubs had lost four of five, including a 6-1 defeat Friday night to last-place Pittsburgh, and were in danger of falling out of the NL Central lead for the first time since Aug. 16 before Zambrano and four relievers combined on a two-hitter.

Zambrano (15-12) had been 0-3 since signing a $91.5 million contract extension last month and was 0-5 with an 8.29 ERA over six starts since last winning July 29, a slump that was clearly frustrating him. He ripped Cubs fans for their lack of support after he gave up eight runs in 4 1/3 innings Monday against Los Angeles, though apologized a day later.

In Pittsburgh, Zambrano made certain he got the best possible road crowd reaction: silence. After Nate McLouth singled into left field with one out in the first, Zambrano didn’t allow another hit until Adam LaRoche singled to start the seventh.

Zambrano’s only problem was wildness – he walked five while throwing 112 pitches.

Phillies 9, Marlins 1

Philadelphia – Greg Dobbs and Chris Coste gave Philadelphia all the offense it needed, and the Phillies’ bullpen shut down Florida.

Padres 3, Rockies 1

Denver – Greg Maddux didn’t walk a batter for the eighth straight start and scattered three hits over six innings to lead San Diego. The win allowed the Padres to maintain their 21â2-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the wild-card race.

Dodgers 6, Giants 2

San Francisco – David Wells took a perfect game into the sixth inning, and Luis Gonzalez hit a three-run homer in the first.

Braves 9, Nationals 2

Atlanta – Jeff Francoeur drove in four runs, including a three-run homer against bumbling Washington, which made three errors leading to six unearned runs. Atlanta, keeping its slim playoff hopes alive, won its third in a row, the longest streak since winning three straight Aug. 4-7.

Mets 3, Astros 1

New York – Tom Glavine carried a perfect game into the sixth and allowed one run over seven-plus innings to lead New York past Houston.

Brewers 4, Reds 3

Cincinnati – Rickie Weeks tripled to drive in Craig Counsell with the go-ahead run in the ninth inning, and Milwaukee beat Cincinnati to remain tied for first place in the NL Central.