Cubs get it done again

Cubs manager Lou Piniella did everything but declare "mission accomplished" Thursday after his team beat the Houston Astros soundly for a second straight day, this time 12-3 at Wrigley Field.

"It was a good homestand," said Piniella, whose team improved to a season-best 8 games over .500 at 54-46 by going 6-1 in games against the Reds and Astros. "We swung the bats well today. (Kevin) Hart did a nice job of pitching. Good way to embark on a tough little road trip that's coming up, with three towns."

The Cubs hurried to the airport, as they headed for a 10-game trip to Florida, Cincinnati and Colorado.

They took three of four from the Astros, outscoring Houston 24-3 over the final two games of the series.

The Cubs pounded out 13 hits Thursday, getting 4 runs in the second against Russ Ortiz, whom the Astros waived after the game.

Houston took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the inning as Carlos Lee homered off Kevin Hart, whom the Cubs traded to Pittsburgh after the game.

In the bottom of the second, Kosuke Fukudome hit a 2-run single and Ryan Theriot followed with a double that scored 2 of the 4 runs he drove in.

Fukudome also had 4 RBI, as he doubled, tripled and walked twice out of the leadoff spot.

"He's been on his game," Piniella said. "He's making nice contact. He's being patient and selective at home plate. And he's getting on base, which is what a leadoff hitter is supposed to do."

The Cubs got back-to-back homers from Jake Fox and Milton Bradley to start a 5-run third inning.

Hart pitched well enough with the lead. He have up a 2-run homer to Kaz Matsui in the third, but he kept the Astros quiet the rest of the way.

"We get 9 runs, it helps," said Hart before packing to join the Pirates. "I went out there and gave up a solo shot and the 2-run homer. I settled down and just tried to throw strikes from there."

The Cubs got 2 hits each from Alfonso Soriano and Mike Fontenot.

"We're in the race; it's good to keep the momentum," said catcher Koyie Hill. "You're going to have some losses, but as long as you get right back on the horse and keep that momentum going, it's the sign of a good team and the sign of a team that's playing well."