Harden pitches into 8th; Cubs beat Astros 6-3

[May 07, 2009]  HOUSTON (AP) -- Rich Harden pitched into the eighth inning and Reed Johnson hit a bases-loaded triple Wednesday night to lead the Chicago Cubs over the Houston Astros 6-3.

Aramis Ramirez added a solo home run for the Cubs, who have won five of six.

Harden (3-1) allowed his first run with two outs in the fourth before retiring the next 10 batters.

Harden didn't give up another hit until Michael Bourn singled in the eighth, and Lance Berkman followed with a home run.

Johnson, who entered the game with one RBI this season, put the Cubs ahead in the first against Mike Hampton (1-3). Johnson scored on a passed ball by Ivan Rodriguez to make it 4-0.

Harden made his longest start of the season, surpassing his previous high of six innings. Carlos Marmol relieved Harden in the eighth after a single by Carlos Lee and retired three batters.

Kevin Gregg pitched a perfect ninth for his fifth save.

Hampton hit an RBI single in the fourth that made it 4-1.

Johnson walked to start the sixth, Micah Hoffpauir doubled and Aaron Miles walked to load the bases. Johnson scored on a passed ball by Rodriguez -- his second of the night -- to push Chicago's lead to 5-1.

Hampton struck out Harden in the sixth before he was replaced by Alberto Arias, who was called up from Triple-A Round Rock earlier in the day. Arias struck out Alfonso Soriano and Ryan Theriot to end the inning.

Hampton allowed seven hits and five runs with four walks in 5 1-3 innings.

Ramirez hit his home run to left field in the seventh inning off Arias.

Notes: Houston RHP Brandon Backe is scheduled to make his third rehab outing on Friday at Double-A Corpus Christi. Backe has been on a the disabled list all season with a strained muscle in his left side. ... Astros closer Jose Valverde, who had fluid drained from his right calf on Friday, began therapy for the injury on Tuesday. He is expected to be out three to five weeks. ... The Cubs selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Chad Fox from Triple-A Iowa and optioned fellow right-hander Jeff Samardzija to Iowa. The 38-year-old Fox had a 1.59 ERA and two saves in 11 appearances for Iowa this season. The nine-year veteran was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in three appearances for Chicago last season before a right elbow injury ended his season. He missed all of 2006 and 2007 after elbow surgery in 2005. Samardzija had an 8.10 ERA in five appearances for the Cubs since being recalled April 23.

[Associated Press; By KRISTIE RIEKEN]

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