Fontenot and Wells both impress for the Cubs

The Chicago Cubs return to joint top of the National League Central courtesy of a 4-2 triumph over the Cincinnati Reds.

Powered by automated translation

The Chicago Cubs returned to joint top of the National League Central courtesy of a 4-2 triumph over the Cincinnati Reds. Mike Fontenot smashed a three-run homer to give them the early advantage. Pitcher Randy Wells then took a shutout into the eighth inning to lift the Cubs to a battling victory and move them alongside the idle St Louis Cardinals in the standings.

Geoff Blum and Kaz Matsui homered off Matt Cain as the Houston Astros clinched a narrow 4-3 victory against the San Francisco Giants. The Astros' triumph snapped an impressive sequence of six successive victories for Cain. Mark Reynolds struck two home runs to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a hard fought 6-5 victory over the New York Mets at Citi Field. The Diamondbacks scored six runs in the first two innings and just managed to hold on for a third win in four games against the Mets.

Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman homered as the Washington Nationals rallied from 3-0 down to come back and triumph comfortably in the end 8-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Red-hot Andrew McCutchen homered for the fourth time in three games for the Pirates, but it was not enough to prevent a seventh defeat in nine games for Pittsburgh. The San Diego Padres posted a 4-2 win over the Atlanta Braves in their clash.

A home run from Kyle Blanks helped ensure the first game in this three-game series went the Padres' way. sports@thenational.ae