Cubs Top Mets for 12th Win in 15 Games

Carlos Zambrano pitched seven strong innings, and Aramis Ramirez and Felix Pie homered Monday night as the surging Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 7-1 for their 12th win in 15 games. Zambrano (3-1) allowed five hits and a run with two walks and four strikeouts. Chicago's ace was backed by four double plays.

Ramirez, who raised his average Sunday from .234 to .275 with four hits, homered to left-center after Derrek Lee led off the fourth with a single off John Maine (1-2). Ramirez, who has five homers, has reached base in all 19 of the Cubs' games. Cedeno delivered a two-out, bases-loaded single off Aaron Heilman to make it 4-1 in the eighth. (More baseball stories.)