MLB: Chicago Cubs 4, St. Louis 2

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Matt Murton's three-run homer sparked a four-run third inning as Chicago Cubs topped the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 Sunday.

Jason Marquis (12-8) held the Cardinals to one run in 6 1/3 innings, giving up five hits and two walks while striking out four.

Geovany Soto finished 4-for-5 for the Cubs, who have won five of six to stay one game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. Ryan Dempster picked up his 28th save with a scoreless ninth.

Skip Schumaker, who came in the eighth as a pinch hitter, drove in both runs for the Cardinals. Mark Mulder (0-3) lasted only three innings, allowing four runs on seven hits for St. Louis, which has all but fallen out of the division race, seven games behind the Cubs.