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Gallagher strong as Cubs top Rockies

Jun 1, 2008 - 11:45 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- In a battle of teams streaking in opposite directions, the Chicago Cubs made sure both runs stayed intact.

Rookie Sean Gallagher tossed 5 2/3 solid innings and Jim Edmonds drove in a pair of runs to lead the Chicago Cubs to their seventh straight win, 5-3, over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.

Alfonso Soriano hit a solo homer and Aramis Ramirez had three hits for the Cubs, who pushed their record at Wrigley Field to 26-8 and moved to 36-21 overall - the best mark in the majors.

"Right now we're playing baseball the way it's supposed to be played," Soriano said. "We're just playing the game the right way. We're playing unbelievable now. I don't know if we can play better after winning the seven games here at home."

"The homestand couldn't have been better," Chicago manager Lou Piniella said. "Everybody on the roster contributed, which is really, really nice to see."

Gallagher (3-1) struck out a career-high eight and had allowed just one hit before running into trouble and surrendering two runs in the fourth. The 22-year-old struck out the first two batters in the sixth but was pulled after allowing a double to Omar Quintanilla.

"You learn to limit the runs you give up and not let it run you out of the game," Gallagher said. "What it is, it's damage control. You limit it as much as you can and let your offense get back out there and get you some more runs."

Gallagher was staked to an early lead when Ramirez singled in Ryan Theriot in the first.

"You can go out there and all the confidence in the world knowing that this team's going to continue to score a lot of runs," Gallagher said. "The past couple of weeks have been unbelievable for the pitchers. There's always a lot of guys on base and you're always working with a lead."

After the Rockies struck for two runs in the fourth, the cubs responded immediately in the bottom of the frame when Edmonds doubled home Ramirez, and rookie Geovany Soto came home on an error by rookie third baseman Ian Stewart.

"It's getting there," Edmonds said of his hitting. "I found something a little bit wider. I knew there was something in there. I just have to keep proving it. I think I just changed a little bit when they changed Busch Stadium and I was trying to get on top of the ball and become a line-drive hitter."

Chicago extended its lead to 4-2 in the fifth when Colorado starter Ubaldo Jimenez walked Edmonds with the bases loaded.

"That helps when you see the ball better, when you're just not flailing at things and trying to do too much," Edmonds said of his good eye in the fifth.

Jimenez (1-6) lasted five innings and was charged with four runs - three earned - and seven hits while walking three and striking out five. The 24-year-old righthander has not earned a win since April 8.

Kerry Wood pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 14th save and hand the Rockies their seventh straight loss.

"We took leads in the first two games and couldn't hold on to it," Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said. "We lost by one yesterday and we're still playing hard. Execution issues continue to be the problem. The elusive big hit is still out there."