Thursday’s N.L. results

Cubs 6, Astros 2: At Houston, Steve Trachsel earned his first win with the Cubs in eight years and Chicago hit four home runs to regain the Central Division lead by beating the Astros. Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Daryle Ward and Cliff Floyd homered for Chicago, which moved a half-game ahead of Milwaukee in the division race. Trachsel (1-2) gave up two solo homers and seven hits in five innings for his first win since the Cubs acquired him from Baltimore on Aug. 31. Kerry Wood and two other relievers combined for four innings of one-hit ball.

Phillies 12, Rockies 4: At Philadelphia, Chase Utley hit a two-run homer and the Phillies’ bullpen allowed one run over the final eight innings to defeat Colorado. Geoff Geary pitched three scoreless innings, then five other relievers allowed one run over the final five innings.

Reds 5, Cardinals 4: At Cincinnati, Joey Votto hit a two-run double and David Ross had a two-run homer as the Reds kept St. Louis winless on its seven-game road trip. The Cardinals ended the trip with their first three-game sweep in Cincinnati since July 1998.

Dodgers 6, Padres 3: At Los Angeles, David Wells beat Greg Maddux in a matchup of 40-something pitchers, James Loney drove in four runs and the Dodgers defeated San Diego. By winning the rubber game of a three-game series and the season finale between the teams, the Dodgers moved within 1 1/2 games of the Padres in the wild-card race.

Associated Press