Game Thirty-Eight - Cubs 12 Padres 3
WP - Carlos Zambrano (6-1) LP - Randy Wolf (2-3) Save - None

For the first time this season Randy Wolf allowed a run in the 1st inning after a 1-out single by Ryan Theriot and a opposite field double by Derrek Lee. The Cubs loaded the bases but were not able to add to their lead. Wolf settled down, retired 9 of the next 10 batters he faced and found himself with a 2-1 lead to start the bottom of the 5th inning.

Carlos Zambrano turned in a very good outing but it was his bat that jump-started the offense. Zambrano led off the 5th with a double to right center and scored on Alfonso Soriano's 4th home run of the year. The Cubs offense scored 4 more runs in the 5th and 5 runs in the 6th while batting around in both innings. The Cubs continued to show a lot of patience at the plate, walked 9 times on the night to go along with 13 hits and tied a season high with 6 runs in the 5th. Five different Cubs recorded at least two hits on the night. The Cubs have scored at least 5 runs in an inning 13 different times this season....10 of those at Wrigley, tops in the big leagues. After 38 games, the Cubs have scored 223 runs, best in the Majors.

Carlos Zambrano allowed 3 runs on 6 hits in 7 innings with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks. Zambrano was very sharp early on and retired the Padres in order in the first two innings on just 19 pitches. Zambrano finished the night throwing only 96 pitches, a much-improved mark than in years past. Big Z also added hits from both sides of the plate.

With the win, Lou Piniella's crew improved to 8 games over .500 and took over sole position of first place in the Central by a full game over the Cardinals.