Cincinatti ? Thousands of Cubs fans chanted “MVP!” whenever Derrek Lee came to the plate.

After another trailblazing game, who could argue?

Lee hit two of Chicago’s five homers off left-hander Brandon Claussen, sending the large contingent of blue-clad fans into its favorite chant, and the resurgent Cubs rolled to a 9-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.

Lee became the first major leaguer to reach 30 homers this season, hitting solo shots off Claussen (4-7) in his first two at-bats. Todd Walker also went yard twice, extending his hitting streak to 11 games.

Lee went 2-for-5, raising his average a point to .373, the best in the majors. He’s at or near the top of every hitting category.

“By far, he’s been the best player in baseball this year, and it’s been fun to watch,” Walker said.

Aramis Ramirez added a solo shot in the Cubs’ biggest long-ball barrage of the season. The five homers off Claussen equaled the most ever off a Reds pitcher.

The outburst hardly was a surprise. The series matches the NL’s top two power-hitting clubs – Cincinnati has 121 homers, the Cubs 120 – in the ballpark that has yielded more homers than any other in the majors.

Chicago Cubs' Derrek Lee, right, is congratulated by Aramis Ramirez after Lee hit his second home run of the game off Cincinnati pitcher Brandon Claussen. The Cubs routed the Reds, 9-4, Monday in Cincinnati.

“It’s an offensive paradise,” Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. “You’re never comfortable here. It’s similar to playing in Colorado. The game’s not over or out of reach until the last out and you’re sitting in the clubhouse.”

A hot, sticky evening provided perfect conditions for the ball to carry, and it didn’t take the Cubs long to take advantage of the NL’s worst rotation. Reds starters lead the league in giving up runs and homers.

“It’s one of those parks where you can hit it anywhere and it will carry, and tonight there was a breeze blowing out,” Lee said.

The Cubs have won seven of eight, staying above .500 (47-45) with a solid stretch by their starting rotation. In the last eight games, Cubs starters only have allowed 12 earned runs.

It could have been worse. Claussen said a few long drives went just foul.

“I’ve been hit this hard before. I’ve never given up that many home runs, though. They were even hitting home runs foul. It was like I was throwing watermelons up there and they were Gallagher,” Claussen said, referring to the comedian known for splattering melons with a sledgehammer.

Astros 11, Pirates 1

Pittsburgh – Humberto Quintero’s three-run double in the fourth ended Houston’s seasonlong scoreless streak in Pittsburgh. The Astros scored a total of five runs while dropping three straight in St. Louis over the weekend, but Brandon Backe (8-6) got them back within a game of .500.

Dave Williams (7-7) lost for the Pirates, who have lost five of six and 22 of 32.

Rockies 5, Nationals 4

Washington – Washington third baseman Vinny Castilla’s second error of the game allowed Colorado to score the tiebreaking run in the ninth inning.

With a runner on second and two outs, Nationals closer Chad Cordero (2-2) got Aaron Miles to hit a seemingly routine grounder to third. But the ball went past Castilla, allowing Eddie Garabito to score the go-ahead run.

Cardinals 11, Brewers 4

St. Louis – Albert Pujols homered, singled, doubled and scored four times, helping Matt Morris win his 11th game.

Mark Grudzielanek and Abraham Nunez combined for five hits and 6 RBIs for the Cardinals, who have won 10 of 12.

Morris (11-2) scattered eight hits over five innings, allowing two runs.

Braves 6, Giants 1

San Francisco – Andruw Jones hit two two-run homers, and Chipper Jones homered in his first at-bat in six weeks, leading Atlanta.

Jones connected in the first and third innings off Kevin Correia (1-1) for the 25th multihomer game of his career. Chipper Jones was activated from the disabled list before the game after missing the previous 37 games because of a partially torn ligament in his left foot. He followed Andruw Jones’ two-run shot in the first with his solo homer.