PITTSBURGH, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Aramis Ramirez had a three-run homer and Kosuke Fukudome four RBI Monday to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 12-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Jim Edmonds added two doubles and a triple, with an RBI and two runs scored, for the Cubs, who are 11-3 over their last 14 games. Fukudome, Alfonso Soriano and Derrek Lee each had three hits.
Chicago leads the majors with 81 wins and is five games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot in the NL Central.
Ted Lilly (13-7) allowed three runs on seven hits over seven innings for the win.
Adam LaRoche had a two-run homer and Brandon Moss added a solo shot for the Pirates, who have lost five games in a row.
Jeff Karstens (2-3) took the loss after giving up five runs on six hits in three innings. Jason Davis allowed five runs on five hits in two innings of relief.
