Cubs Hammer Padres

CHI CUBS 12, SAN DIEGO 3-----------------

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Carlos Zambrano threw seven strong innings and sparked a five-run sixth with a double as the Chicago Cubs cruised to a 12-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Monday.

Zambrano (6-1) allowed three runs and six hits with five strikeouts and two walks, but it was his bat which ignited the offense in the decisive frame. Zambrano led off the sixth with a double to center, and Alfonso Soriano belted a two-run homer to left-center field for a 3-2 lead. Aramis Ramirez had an RBI single and rookie Geovany Soto drove in a pair of runs as the first eight batters reached base safely. Jody Gerut homered and Edgar Gonzalez had an RBI single for the Padres.