Soriano's slam in 13th helps Cubs sink Astros

Alfonso Soriano called it his best swing of the second half. And it couldn't have come at a better time for the Cubs.

Soriano crushed a 1-0 pitch with nobody out and the bases loaded Monday night against Houston's Chris Sampson, giving the Cubs a 5-1 victory in the bottom of the 13th inning and enabling them to hold on to first place in the National League Central.

"I never thought about it, that I'm going to hit a grand slam," Soriano said. "I just wanted to try to put the ball in the air and just score the run because that's an important inning.

"I made a very good swing. That's the best swing I made in the second half already."

The Cubs improved to 52-45, matching their season-best at seven games over .500.

They didn't always look like a first-place team on this warm night at Wrigley Field. Mike Fontenot botched a squeeze attempt with a chance to win the game with the bases loaded in the ninth.

And Soriano got caught at the batter's box in the 11th on a groundout to third. He maintained the ball hit him in the foot, and that's why he didn't run.

On the bright side for the Cubs, in addition to the victory, they got 7 good innings out of starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano, and their relievers pitched scoreless ball over 6 innings.

Included in that bunch was rookie Jeff Stevens and Jeff Samardzija, who wound up pitching the final 2 innings to get the victory.

"Boy, we play long games with Houston," manager Lou Piniella said. "But, I tell you what, our guys stuck with it. Soriano ended it in dramatic fashion.

"I tell you, our young pitching really did a nice job today."

For most of the evening, the game was a pitchers duel between Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano and Astros lefty Wandy Rodriguez.

The Astros took a 1-0 lead in the second when Carlos Lee led off with a home run to center field. The ball carried to the roof of the restaurant. For Lee, it was his fifth career homer off Zambrano.

"Everything was working except that pitch to Carlos Lee," Zambrano said. "I think he's got my number. He's a good hitter. Next time, I should walk him."

The Cubs' Lee, Derrek, tied the game in the fourth when he led off with a blast over the left-field bleachers for his 20th home run.

Zambrano managed to gut out 7 innings while giving up 3 hits and 1 run.

In the bottom of the ninth, Milton Bradley led off with a walk against Jose Valverde and stole second base as Soriano struck out. The Astros walked pinch hitter Micah Hoffpauir intentionally. Kosuke Fukudome pinch hit and drew a walk to load the bases.

Even with Valverde's control in question, Piniella opted for a squeeze bunt on a 1-1 pitch. Fontenot didn't make much of an offer at the ball, and Bradley was easily put out on the baseline. Fontenot flied out to end the inning.

"It was a squeeze, and I didn't hit the ball," Fontenot said.

In the 13th, a walk to Lee and a single by Aramis Ramirez put men on first and third. Bradley was walked intentionally, setting the stage for Soriano.

Bruce Miles' game tracker

Cubs 5, Astros 1 (13)

D-Lee doings: Derrek Lee's fourth-inning homer was his 20th of the season. It's the ninth time in his big-league career he has hit at least 20 in a season.

A quality no-decision: Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano turned in the Cubs' 61st quality start but did not get a decision. Zambrano worked 7 innings, giving up 3 hits and 1 run, which came on Carlos Lee's homer. Cubs starters have a 2.31 ERA in their quality outings.

Goodbye, LaTroy: Astros reliever and former Cub LaTroy Hawkins was ejected by home-plate umpire Mike Everitt in the eighth after Everitt called a close pitch a ball. Hawkins appeared to gesture for Everitt to get back behind the plate.

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