Cubs get the better of Morris

CHICAGO -- Matt Clement earned his team-best sixth win, Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run homer in the first inning, and the Chicago Cubs held on for a 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday night.

Clement (6-3) went seven innings, retiring 11 straight during one stretch and allowing three hits -- including Albert Pujols' 12th homer in the sixth and Scott Rolen's 10th in the seventh that made it a one-run game.

LaTroy Hawkins pitched a perfect eighth, and Joe Borowski got three outs for his eighth save and club-record 22nd straight dating to Aug. 5.

Despite having seven players on the disabled list, the Cubs moved into a tie with the Reds for first place in the NL Central.

Cardinals starter Matt Morris (4-4) came in with a 10-2 career record and a streak of 20 straight scoreless innings against the Cubs, a stretch that dated to last season and included a strong nine-inning effort earlier this month.

But the Cubs ended that drought in a hurry, scoring four first-inning runs for the second straight game.

Leadoff hitter Tom Goodwin, starting because he was 5-for-10 lifetime against Morris, singled and raced to third on a single by Moises Alou.

Ramirez then drove his 10th homer to left for a 3-1 lead. After Derrek Lee walked, Michael Barrett hit an RBI double over Jim Edmonds' head in center to make the score 4-1.

Morris also lasted seven innings, and gave up nine hits. He has surrendered 15 home runs this season, the highest total by any pitcher in the major leagues.

Clement allowed a run in the first when he walked Pujols and Edmonds with two outs and Rolen hit an RBI single.