From Wire Reports

CHICAGO -- Mark DeRosa hit a grand slam, and Alfonso Soriano had a three-run homer during an eight-run third inning that sent the Chicago Cubs to an 11-4 victory over the Houston Astros yesterday.

It was an emphatic finish for the Cubs to a wild three-game series that saw Houston take the opener 2-0 after the game was called in the eighth inning because of violent storms. Chicago rallied for an 11-7 win Tuesday after blowing a five-run lead.

DeRosa's fourth career slam made it 5-4 and propelled the Cubs to their ninth win in 11 games. The surging Soriano capped the burst with his second three-run shot in two days, after hitting the tiebreaking drive in the seventh inning Tuesday. He has 20 hits, six homers and 14 RBI in his past 11 games after going 2 for 5 while driving in three runs.

DeRosa had two hits and drove in five runs after going 3 for 5 with three RBI the previous day.

AROUND THE MAJORS

Giants top Braves 3-2

SAN FRANCISCO -- Tim Lincecum pitched eight innings for his first win in more than three weeks, and Aaron Rowand homered and drove in three runs and the San Francisco Giants beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2. Randy Winn added four hits including the 1,500th of his career and scored twice for the Giants.

Angels defeat Orioles 9-4

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Vladimir Guerrero homered and drove in four runs, Garret Anderson had three hits and two RBI, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Baltimore Orioles 9-4. Ervin Santana (13-5) allowed four runs and eight hits over seven innings with seven strikeouts and no walks.

Karstens nearly perfect

PHOENIX -- Jeff Karstens has given the Pittsburgh Pirates a perfect start. Almost a perfect game, too. The recently acquired right-hander retired his first 23 batters before Chris Young's two-out double in the eighth inning and finished with a two-hitter in a 2-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Karstens (2-0) has tossed 15 scoreless innings -- against a pair of first-place teams -- since coming to Pittsburgh in a six-player trade July 26 that sent outfielder Xavier Nady and reliever Damaso Marte to the New York Yankees.

Rays need 6-run rally in 9th

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Carlos Pena's three-run homer capped a six-run rally in the ninth inning that carried the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays past the Cleveland Indians 10-7. Eric Hinske had an RBI double, and Gabe Gross tied it 7-all with a two-run homer off Edward Mujica, who was trying for his first major-league save.

Span leads Twins

SEATTLE -- Rookie Denard Span drove in a career-high four runs and robbed Adrian Beltre of a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning, leading the Minnesota Twins over the Seattle Mariners 7-3.

NOTABLE

Guardado gets closer role

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers' new closer is old-timer Eddie Guardado, still getting hitters out at the age of 37. Guardado, who's been the Rangers' most consistent setup man this season, takes over for C.J. Wilson, who was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with bone spurs in his left elbow.

Rockies claim Hernandez

DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies got a pair of pitching reinforcements, claiming Livan Hernandez off waivers from the Minnesota Twins and activating Jeff Francis from the disabled list. Hernandez, a former World Series MVP and two-time All-Star, was 10-8 with a 5.48 ERA in 23 starts before the Twins designated him for assignment Friday to make roster room for Francisco Liriano.

Cardinals add Perez

ST. LOUIS -- After the bullpen's latest struggles, the St. Louis Cardinals have decided to go to a closer by committee. Closer Jason Isringhausen, who has a 1-5 record, 6.28 ERA and seven blown saves in 19 chances, remained a member of the bullpen although the role was not clear. Hard-throwing right-hander Chris Perez was recalled from Triple-A Memphis and outfielder Nick Stavinoha was sent back to the minors.

Chamberlain goes on DL

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Joba Chamberlain was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the New York Yankees with rotator cuff tendinitis in his pitching shoulder. The club said Chamberlain will rest for about a week before beginning a throwing program.

Rays' Upton benched

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay center fielder B.J. Upton was benched against Cleveland for failing to run out a grounder the previous night. Rays manager Joe Maddon took the one-game action, saying the topic of running hard on grounders was discussed at a team meeting in Kansas City two weeks ago. Asked about the benching, Upton said: "I just work here."

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