Samardzija steers Cubs past Braves

CHICAGO (AP) Chicago's Jeff Samardzija allowed just one run over seven strong innings, steering the Cubs to a 5-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Monday.

Samardzija (4-1) struck out seven in a 105-pitch outing.

The Cubs hit three solo homers: Bryan LaHair drove Tommy Hanson's first pitch of the bottom of the fourth over the right field wall; one pitch later, Ian Stewart went long to make it 2-1, and Geovany Soto hit a two-run homer in the eighth.

Hanson (3-3) gave up five hits in six innings.

In Philadelphia, Jordany Valdespin hit a three-run homer in the ninth for his first major league hit, leading New York over Philadelphia.

Valdespin, called into the game to replace injured shortstop Ruben Tejada, was 0 for 6 before hitting a drive to right off Jonathan Papelbon (0-1), giving the injury-plagued Mets their third straight win.

Tim Byrdak (1-0) retired the only batter he faced to get the win.

In Houston, Carlos Zambrano pitched a shutout for his first win of the season, leading Miami over Houston and to its seventh straight victory.

Zambrano (1-2), whose only no-hitter also came against the Astros, struck out a season-best nine and never allowed a batter past first base. It was his first complete game and first shutout since 2009.

Giancarlo Stanton extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a two-run homer that opened the scoring. He has six homers and 12 RBIs during his streak.

Houston's Wandy Rodriguez (3-3) gave up a season-worst four earned runs in eight-plus innings.

In Milwaukee, Bronson Arroyo pitched solidly into the seventh inning to lead Cincinnati over Milwaukee.

Arroyo (2-1) gave up a homer in the first but settled after that, striking out nine in 6 2-3 innings.

Jay Bruce hit a three-run home run to cap a five-run fourth inning off Marco Estrada (0-2). Bruce extended his hitting streak to 10 games and is batting .405 (15 for 37) with six home runs and 12 RBIs during the run.

Estrada gave up five runs in seven innings of work.

Updated May 7, 2012