Chicago, IL (My Sportsbook) - Carlos Zambrano dazzled with eight dominant innings, as the Chicago Cubs topped the Cincinnati Reds, 5-1, in the middle contest of a three-game set at Wrigley Field.

Zambrano (10-3) had his best start of the season, allowing only one run on one hit in eight innings while striking out five and walking none. Besides allowing a home run to Adam Dunn, Zambrano did not let another runner reach base, retiring the final 20 batters he faced.

"Definitely I feel good. I think those two (missed) starts helped me a lot," Zambrano said. "Ive been doing all the exercises for my shoulder. I just have to keep doing my exercises and everything Im supposed to do to be strong."

Aramis Ramirez homered and doubled, driving in two runs while Kosuke Fukudome and Derrek Lee had an RBI apiece to give Chicago its third straight win and first with new acquisitions Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin in uniform.

Cincy's Johnny Cueto (7-9) pitched well until the seventh, when he gave up three runs. Through 6 2/3 innings, he allowed five runs - four earned - on eight hits with six strikeouts and two walks.

Adam Dunn hit his 23rd home run of the season as one of Cincinnati's two hits as the Reds lost their second straight following a four-game sweep of Washington over the weekend.

"Zambrano was really, really, really good," Dunn said. "The pitch to me was the only mistake he made all night. I've never seen him better."

Ramirez put the Cubs up for good, giving Chicago the lead in the sixth with a mammoth shot, his 16th of the season, to left-center.

Reed Johnson opened the seventh with a single, and got to second on a controversial call when Zambrano grounded out but appeared to beat the throw. After another groundout, Fukudome hit a double to left field that barely got over the outstretched glove of Dunn, scoring Johnson to make it 3-1.

Lee immediately followed with an RBI single to give Chicago its fourth run, ending Cueto's outing. David Weathers came on in relief, but Ramirez drove a double to center that gave the Cubs a 5-1 lead.

Carlos Marmol got into trouble in the ninth, loading the bases on a single and two walks after getting two quick outs. Kerry Wood came on for Marmol and got Brandon Phillips to foul out to earn his 23rd save.

Dunn opened the scoring with a solo home run to right-center in the second.

The Cubs answered right back in their half of the second, albeit with some help from Reds shortstop Jeff Keppinger. Geovany Soto led off with a double, and two batters later Mark DeRosa hit a grounder to Keppinger that he couldn't handle, allowing Soto to score.

Game Notes

Chicago has won three straight for the first time since June 20-22...The Cubs lead the season series 5-3...Phillips error in the eighth was his first in 79 games...Rich Harden is scheduled to make his first start with the Cubs on Saturday against the Giants.