So when do the Cubs stop calling Randy Wells their "fifth starter" and start calling him something more in line with "ace?"

That may be pushing it. Wells is still a rookie, but he has been the most consistent and impressive starter on the Cubs' staff this year.

It was more of the same in Monday night's 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ball Park. Wells worked 71/3 innings and won for the eighth time in 9 starts as he ran his record to 8-4 and lowered his ERA to 2.73.

Wells' victory total is 1 fewer than lefty Ted Lilly and 1 more than nominal ace Carlos Zambrano and right-hander Rich Harden. Among the Cubs' five starters, Wells has the best ERA, besting Zambrano's 3.35 and Lilly's 3.59.

"He's pitched exceedingly well," manager Lou Piniella told reporters. "What a nice job, huh? Where would we be without this young man?"

Wells has avoided talk of Rookie of the Year honors and no doubt he'd downplay any talk of being an emerging ace.

"Remember where you came from," Wells said. "Remember where you were a few months ago. Don't try to throw shutouts. Don't try to win Rookie of the Year."

Wells got the offensive help he needed in the second, when Mike Fontenot homered to right-center to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead. Milton Bradley was hit by a pitch with one out in the inning, and Alfonso Soriano followed with a single to right, setting the stage for Fontenot's ninth homer.

That wound up proving to be enough for the Cubs (56-48), who moved into a virtual first-place tie with St. Louis (58-50) in the NL Central.

"We're right there in the standings," Fontenot told reporters. "Hopefully we'll keep winning ballgames, and all of us can get hot the last couple of months, and we'll see what happens."

Wells got help from lefty John Grabow in the eighth as he got into minor trouble after giving up a solo home run to Alex Gonzalez. In the ninth, Carlos Marmol came on to close and provided a scare when he walked Laynce Nix to start the inning. Marmol gave up 2 hits, including an RBI double to Gonzalez.

Willy Taveras grounded out to end the game, and Marmol eked out his fourth save, preserving the win for Wells.