MLB: Tampa Bay 5, Chicago Cubs 4

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 18 (UPI) -- B.J. Upton produced one of Tampa Bay's four third-inning RBI singles Wednesday and the Rays held on to edge the Chicago Cubs 5-4.

By reaching 13 games above .500, Tampa Bay equaled the high-water mark in franchise history. The Rays have claimed the first two games of the series and have won four out of five overall.

Andy Sonnanstine (8-3) became the first Tampa Bay player to reach eight victories this year, allowing seven hits and three runs over five-plus innings. He struck out four in helping the Rays clinch their ninth straight series win at home. They have captured 24 out of their last 28 at Tropicana Field.

Upton, Eric Hinske and Evan Longoria had consecutive RBI singles in the third and Willy Aybar produced another later in the frame. That gave Tampa Bay a 5-2 lead and three Tampa Bay relievers combined to give up two hits over the final four innings.

Troy Percival picked up his 17th save despite allowing a solo homer to Geovany Soto in the ninth.

The loss went to Carlos Zambrano (8-3), who surrendered seven hits and five runs over 6 2/3.