Thu Aug 28 23:33:59 2008

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Ramirez keeps Cubs rolling with late-inning slam against Phils

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Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Aramis Ramirez hit a go-ahead grand slam as part of a five-run eighth inning, as the Chicago Cubs shocked the Philadelphia Phillies with a 6-4 comeback win in the opener of a four-game set from Wrigley Field.

Ryan Madson entered in the eighth with a 4-1 lead but allowed a pinch-hit, leadoff homer to Mike Fontenot. Alfonso Soriano doubled and Ryan Theriot followed with a single forcing Madson from the game in favor of Chad Durbin (5-3), who walked Derrek Lee to load the bases setting up Ramirez' blast.

Chicago's surge of offense made a winner out of Bob Howry (6-4), who pitched a scoreless eighth, and Kerry Wood got his 28th save of the season by working around a leadoff single in the ninth. Mark DeRosa's RBI triple in the fifth provided the Cubs' other run.

Chicago has now won six in a row and seven of eight to open up a 6 1/2 game lead in the NL Central over Milwaukee. Cubs starter Ryan Dempster was touched for eight hits and four runs while walking four and fanning seven in the no- decision.

The Phillies fell to a full game back of the New York Mets in the NL East with their second straight loss. Cole Hamels pitched brilliantly as the starter, holding the Cubs to one run on five hits while striking out six without walking a batter through seven innings.

Chase Utley had three hits while knocking in a run and scoring once. Carlos Ruiz, Shane Victorino and Jimmy Rollins drove in the other runs for Philadelphia.