ST. LOUIS - Greg Maddux put on a triple-threat performance: He helped beat the Cardinals with his arm, bat and legs.
Maddux pitched seven strong innings, stole a base, got an infield hit and scored twice in the Cubs' 7-3 victory against the Cardinals on Monday.
"It was a great day for Greg," manager Dusty Baker said. "This guy comes to compete and tries to beat you any way he can."
Maddux outpitched former Braves teammate Jason Marquis for his 291st career victory. He allowed two runs and seven hits, walking none and striking out six.
"I didn't see too much of the apprentice," Maddux said. "I pull for him. I watched him come up, and he's a guy I'm sure I'll continue to pull for as long as he's playing."
Marquis, who considers Maddux a mentor, matched the four-time Cy Young winner at the plate with a bunt single and his first career steal.
It was a challenge for Marquis, pitching against Maddux.
"Greg is Greg; he's always going to be efficient," Marquis said. "He wants you to swing the bat, he trusts his defense and he trusts what he is going to throw."
Marquis lasted 61/3 innings, giving up three runs on seven hits.
Maddux entered the game with an uncharacteristically high 5.65 ERA. His third straight solid outing left him with a 5.05 ERA.
"He had so much movement on the ball today, it just made you think he was cheating," said the Cardinals' Reggie Sanders, who was 0-for-3 and didn't get the ball out of the infield. "We know he wasn't cheating, but it just made you feel that way."
Sammy Sosa, Todd Walker and Derrek Lee homered for the Cubs. Sosa's was the 545th of his career.
Albert Pujols hit a solo homer for the Cardinals and flied out twice to the warning track. Edmonds added a solo shot.
REDS 7, ASTROS 5: Javier Valentin hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning, Danny Graves got his major-league-leading 11th save and visiting Cincinnati snapped a five-game losing streak, despite losing Ken Griffey to a stiff right hamstring.
Griffey, hampered by a string of injuries the last three years, left in the third inning after striking out against Roy Oswalt. The centerfielder was replaced by Tampa's Jason Romano and is day to day.
Valentin put Cincinnati ahead 6-5 with a homer off Brad Lidge (0-1). D'Angelo Jimenez added a solo shot in the ninth for the Reds, who ended Houston's four-game winning streak and went 4-6 on their longest road trip.
Things were so bad in Cincinnati's clubhouse after a 6-5 loss on Sunday that shortstop Barry Larkin held a players-only meeting in an attempt to bolster the team's sagging spirits.
