Chicago Cubs

Rich Harden pitched six stellar innings to win a day game at Wrigley Field for the first time since last August, and the Chicago Cubs moved into first place with a 5-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. The Cubs have won 10 of their last 13 games to move half a game ahead of St. Louis in the Central Division. Going into Sunday, Harden had a 1-5 record and 7.38 ERA in day games. "It's the way I was throwing the ball," he said.

Raul Ibanez hit a three-run home run, Carlos Ruiz and Ryan Howard each hit one and the Philadelphia Phillies won their ninth consecutive game, 10-1, over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night. Ruiz had a run-scoring double during a four-run fourth inning. Rodrigo Lopez (2-0) gave up one run over six innings to give the Phillies their 13th win in 14 games. The Phillies are on their longest winning streak since 2006 and improved to 23-23 at home.

Alfonso Soriano hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the sixth, his first homer in almost six weeks, and the Chicago Cubs rallied and then held to beat the Washington Nationals, 6-5, on Saturday night. Soriano's 15th homer off rookie Jordan Zimmermann erased a 4-2 Washington lead. It was his first home run since June 7, a span of 121 at-bats.

Ted Lilly gave up four hits and a run in eight innings to earn his 100th victory as the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 5-2, Saturday. Lilly (9-6), the Cubs' lone selection to the All-Star game, walked one and struck out four in a 103-pitch outing and left with a 5-1 lead. The veteran left-hander was staked to a 3-0 lead with Jeff Baker hitting a two-run, bases-loaded single in the first inning. St.

Tribune Co. intends to sell the Chicago Cubs to the Ricketts family, sources familiar with the matter told the Chicago Tribune on Monday, ending the company's flirtation with another buyer after negotiations with the Rickettses had stalled two months ago. After more than five months of negotiations, Tribune Co. has a written agreement to sell the baseball team and other assets to the Ricketts family for about $900 million.

Carlos Zambrano went on a tirade after being ejected, and was gone when Reed Johnson hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning that lifted Chicago over Pittsburgh, 5-2, on Wednesday. Zambrano was ejected by Mark Carlson in the seventh inning after Nyjer Morgan scored the tying run on a wild pitch, beating catcher Geovany Soto's throw to Zambrano at the plate. Zambrano jumped up, argued the call and appeared to nudge the umpire.

at San Diego 7, Chicago Cubs 2: Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a home run and drove in four runs to help the Padres cap their first 9-0 homestand. at Boston 12, New York Mets 5: Kevin Youkilis and Mike Lowell each hit three-run home runs. at Atlanta 10, Toronto 2: Brian McCann hit two home runs, and the Braves swept the three-game series. Kansas City 3, at St. Louis 2: Pinch-hitter Mike Jacobs' single ended a seventh-inning tie.

Jorge Cantu hit a three-run double in the 10th inning after Florida tied it on a throwing error by Carlos Marmol in the eighth, and the Marlins beat the Chicago Cubs, 8-2, Thursday night. Alfredo Amezaga doubled and scored on Ryan Theriot's fielding error for the go-ahead run in the 10th and Cantu homered and drove in four runs for the Marlins. Florida tied it in the eighth when Marmol threw away Cameron Maybin's sacrifice attempt.

There's a lot to like about this year's version of the Chicago Cubs, last spotted curdling like milk against the looser, more-confident Dodgers (last fall). To counter right-handed pitching, the Cubs have added the leftist Milton Bradley, a stabilizing influence to any organization. Of course, here at Guthries Tavern in Chicago's Wrigleyville, they've got a pool going on who will throw the first dugout punch -- Carlos Zambrano or Bradley. The smart money is on Uncle Milty. Stay tuned.

Ted Lilly held Colorado hitless for 6 2/3 innings and the Chicago Cubs won their home opener Monday by holding the Rockies to one hit in a 4-0 victory in front of 40,077. Garrett Atkins grounded a single between shortstop and third base on a 1-and-0 pitch with two outs in the seventh inning to spoil the left-hander's no-hit bid. After Seth Smith followed the single with a walk, Manager Lou Piniella removed Lilly. "I was aware, but I wasn't really thinking about it," Lilly said.