Monday’s games

Cubs 12, Reds 5: At Chicago, Todd Walker homered and drove in four runs, Carlos Zambrano won his fourth straight decision and Chicago extended its lead in the N.L. wild-card race with the win over Cincinnati. The win moved Chicago a game ahead of idle San Francisco. Houston remained 1 1/2 back by beating St. Louis. Walker was 3-for-4, including a two-run homer in the fifth inning. Corey Patterson, Derrek Lee and Jose Macias also connected, and Nomar Garciaparra was 3-for-3 with a walk and a pair of RBIs. Zambrano (16-8) allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings to win his third consecutive start, striking out seven, allowing five hits.

Astros 10, Cardinals 3: Roy Oswalt became the N.L.’s first 19-game winner, and Houston stayed close in the wild-card race. The Astros remained 1 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs. Pinch-hitter Jason Lane homered and Craig Biggio hit a two-run double. Former Spokane Indian Carlos Beltran added a two-run triple, to send the Astros to their fourth win in five games.

Diamondbacks 3, Brewers 1: At Phoenix, Randy Johnson struck out 10 in seven innings to earn his 15th win and Arizona snapped a six-game losing streak with a win over Ben Sheets. Johnson (15-14) walked one in his 13th double-digit strikeout game of the season and 204th of his career — 11 shy of Nolan Ryan’s major league record. Johnson allowed one run and six hits.

Pirates 6, Phillies 1: At Philadelphia, Ty Wigginton hit a two-run homer and Oliver Perez pitched 6 2/3 strong innings, helping the Pittsburgh stop a seven-game road losing streak with the victory over Philadelphia, which was eliminated from postseason contention.

Marlins 4, Expos 1: At Montreal, Josh Beckett pitched seven strong innings and Miguel Cabrera hit his 31st homer, leading Florida over Montreal. Beckett (8-9), last year’s World Series MVP, scattered four hits for his first win in four starts. Florida ended a season-high six-game losing streak.