NEW YORK - The "Let's Go Cubs!" chant began almost immediately after Derrek Lee singled to give Chicago the lead in the top of the 10th inning. And it stunned manager Dusty Baker. It was more than he could have imagined.
"I've never seen that here in New York," Baker said. "Chicago people are everywhere. It's always great to hear."
The Cubs gave their fans plenty to cheer about, rallying for a 2-1 victory over the Mets to pad their lead over San Francisco in the wild-card race.
The Cubs won their fourth straight and 13th in 16 games, improving to 8-2 on a 12-game trip. Chicago (87-66) moved more than 20 games over .500 for the first time since 1989.
"We're playing with a lot of confidence," reliever Mike Remlinger said. "It seems like we come in here every day expecting to find a way to win."
Mark Grudzielanek drew a walk from Braden Looper to lead off the 10th. Grudzielanek advanced to second on Corey Patterson's tapper in front of the plate - he failed twice at a sacrifice attempt - and scored on Lee's single to center with one out.
"We're playing good baseball," Lee said. "When you win one-run games like that, you're playing pretty good baseball."
DODGERS 3, GIANTS 2: Shawn Green and Jose Hernandez homered for visiting Los Angeles, which withstood the 44th home run of the season by Barry Bonds. The Giants fell 11/2 games behind the Cubs in the wild-card race and 21/2 behind the Dodgers in the NL West. Eric Gagne worked the ninth for his 44th save.
Braves clinch division . . . again
Marcus Giles' single capped a three-run rally in the eighth for host Atlanta, which clinched its 13th consecutive division title with an 8-7 win over Florida. The Braves' record streak of division championships began with the 1991 West title and excludes the 1994 strike-shortened season.
Giles delivered a two-run single against Marlins closer Armando Benitez, who took over for Guillermo Mota in the eighth. The Braves, who have relied on strong pitching through their run, had to use seven relievers after Russ Ortiz was chased in the third inning.
John Smoltz pitched the ninth for his 41st save in 46 chances. Smoltz got Jeff Conine to ground into a game-ending double play, and Braves players rushed to the mound around Smoltz, the only current Brave to play on each of the 13 division championship teams. Travis Smith earned the win with one inning of relief.
Alex Gonzalez was 3-for-4 with two homers, including a go-ahead shot in the sixth inning for the Marlins.
ASTROS 1, BREWERS 0: Craig Biggio's sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th lifted visiting Houston, which remained 21/2 games behind the Cubs in the wild-card race. Roger Clemens was denied his 19th victory and took a no-decision, but struck out a season-high 12 to surpass 200 for the 12th time.
CARDINALS 5, ROCKIES 4: Albert Pujols homered and Jeff Suppan improved to 10-0 on the road for St. Louis. Larry Walker was hitless in his first game back at Coors Field since being traded Aug. 6.
PADRES 6, D'BACKS 5: Chad Tracy's fielding error in the ninth allowed pinch runner Khalil Greene to score for host San Diego. Jay Payton had four hits and two RBIs for the Padres.
EXPOS 8, PHILLIES 1: Sun Woo-Kim came within an out of his first career complete game and also hit a two-run double for host Montreal. Kim allowed seven hits and one run in 82/3 innings - his longest outing in 26 career starts.
REDS 14, PIRATES 8: Austin Kearns had a career-high four hits, including a homer, and five RBIs for visiting Cincinnati. Felipe Lopez also homered for the Reds.
