Cubs rise to this occasion

After allowing a home run to the game’s third batter, Joey Votto, Harden (7-6) retired the final 16 batters he faced. He struck out eight and walked none in his 90-pitch effort, which came a day earlier than expected because manager Lou Piniella moved him up after Ted Lilly had to go on the disabled list.

The Cubs are feeling good, winning 10 of their last 13 games to move a half-game ahead of St. Louis.

“We’re headed in the right direction,’’ Piniella said. “It’s only a half-game, but we’re on top.’’

As the two-time defending division champions - and the NL Central team with by far the highest payroll - the Cubs were expected to win again.

Outfielder Milton Bradley didn’t seem happy about the team’s ascension, complaining about the demanding fans and media.

“Are we going to get more cheers now?’’ he asked reporters. “Are we going to start getting bashed . . . in articles about our lineup and was it better last year and all that garbage?’’

Phillies 9, Cardinals 2 - Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Raul Ibanez all smacked two-run homers to back Joe Blanton and propel host Philadelphia to its 17th win in 20 games.

Blanton (7-4) struck out six and allowed two runs over eight strong innings. He has allowed two runs or fewer and pitched at least seven innings in five of his last six starts.

Twins 10, Angels 1 - Justin Morneau hit two homers to take over the AL lead with 26, and rookie Anthony Swarzak shut down the Angels’ sizzling lineup to clip an eight-game winning streak by host Los Angeles.

Denard Span homered and drove in four runs as the Twins ended a four-game losing streak. Swarzak (3-3) held the Angels to four hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Blue Jays 5, Rays 1 - Scott Rolen popped a three-run homer to help host Toronto hand Tampa Bay’s Jeff Niemann his first defeat in six decisions.

Blue Jays lefthander Brett Cecil (4-1) was the better rookie starter, allowing one run and four hits in seven innings. Niemann (9-5) allowed five runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings in losing for the first time since May 28.

Rangers 7, Royals 2 - Dustin Nippert (3-0) allowed one hit in 4 2/3 innings of relief of an injured Kevin Millwood and visiting Texas scored seven times off Kansas City’s bullpen to pull away.

Indians 12, Mariners 3 - Grady Sizemore got Cleveland started with the 20th leadoff homer of his career, Jhonny Peralta hit his second career grand slam, and the Indians hit four long balls to complete their first three-game sweep in Seattle in 11 years.

White Sox 5, Tigers 1 - Chicago dodged a four-game sweep in Detroit as Paul Konerko hit a two-run homer during the White Sox’ four-run first.

Mets 8, Astros 3 - Livan Hernandez (7-5) struck out a season-high seven over seven innings, surviving a rough start in Houston thanks to a revived New York offense, which had double figures in hits for the third straight day.

Rockies 4, Giants 2 - At Denver, Aaron Cook (10-3) worked seven sharp innings to win his seventh straight decision and Colorado increased its NL wild-card lead to two games over San Francisco.

Braves 10, Brewers 2 - Casey Kotchman clubbed a three-run homer and Derek Lowe worked six innings for his 10th win as visiting Atlanta improved to 8-3 since the All-Star break.

Diamondbacks 9, Pirates 0 - Mark Reynolds and Gerardo Parra hit two-run homers as Arizona made it easy for Max Scherzer (6-6) in Phoenix.

Marlins 8, Dodgers 6 - Dan Uggla homered and Hanley Ramirez drove in three runs to pace Florida, which won its third straight series at Dodger Stadium.

Nationals 3, Padres 2 - Austin Kearns picked up Washington with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the 10th.