RESULTS

* Chicago 6, at Houston 2: Steve Trachsel (1-2) earned his first win with the Cubs in eight years and Chicago hit four home runs to move half a game ahead of idle Milwaukee atop the NL Central. Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Daryle Ward and Cliff Floyd homered for Chicago. Trachsel pitched for the Cubs from 1993 to ‘99, and his last win with them came on Oct. 3, 1999.

* at Philadelphia 12, Colorado 4: Chase Utley hit a two-run homer and the Phillies’ much-maligned bullpen gave up one run over the last eight innings in moving to within 1 1/2 games of San Diego in the wild-card race. Geoff Geary (2-2) pitched three scoreless innings after starter J.D. Durbin lasted one-plus inning, then five other relievers allowed one run.

* at Cincinnati 5, St. Louis 4: Aaron Harang (15-4) gave up three hits and three sacrifice flies in seven innings.

* at Dodgers 6, San Diego 3: David Wells not only moved to 3-0 since his arrival but also had his first multihit game.