Cubs 12, Pirates 3

Pittsburgh – Carlos Zambrano had four hits to go with a stellar seven innings on the mound, and Reed Johnson hit a three-run home run and two doubles as Chicago extended its mastery of division rival Pittsburgh.

The Cubs, who lead the NL Central, are 9-1 against the Pirates this season, 4-0 in Pittsburgh, and 12-1 in their last 13 meetings.

Zambrano (7-1) gave up two runs and six hits – he allowed seven hits and five runs, four earned, against Pittsburgh in a no-decision Sunday – and had a career day at the plate. His four-hit game was the first by a Cubs pitcher since Lew Burdette on July 23, 1964. Zambrano elevated his average to .343, which is higher than any Pirates starting position player. He has four career games with three or more hits, two this season.

Arizona’s Micah Owings was the last pitcher with a four-hit game, also doing it against the Pirates last September.

Giants 8, Marlins 2

Miami – Barry Zito earned his first win of the season after eight straight losses, pitching San Francisco past Florida. Zito (1-8) allowed one run and three hits in 61â3 innings.

Astros 4, Phillies 3

Houston – Jose Valverde earned a save after getting struck in the face with a line drive, and Houston got two solo homers from Hunter Pence to beat Philadelphia. Valverde earned his 15th save 18 chances after Pedro Feliz smacked a line drive off the right side of his face. The closer allowed four hits and two runs in an eventful ninth.

Diamondbacks 11, Braves 1

Atlanta – Doug Davis had reason to relax even before making the first pitch of his return from cancer surgery. After Arizona scored five runs in the first, Davis gave up only one run in seven innings.

Rockies 6, Mets 5, 13 inn.

Denver – Matt Holliday hit a tying homer in the ninth inning off Billy Wagner, then singled home the winning run in the 13th.

Nationals 5, Brewers 1

Washington – Washington turned Milwaukee shortstop J.J. Hardy’s error into four unearned runs.

Reds 3, Padres 2

San Diego – Adam Dunn hit a leadoff homer off Trevor Hoffman in the ninth inning. Dunn hit a 3-1 pitch off major league baseball’s all-time save leader into the right-field seats to snap the Reds’ four-game losing streak. Dunn’s 12th homer of the season was also the 250th of his career.