NL | Cubs' Rich Harden stays cool, ties career high with 11 strikeouts

Ryan Dempster got used to pitching in heavy humidity in Florida early in his career, while Rich Harden grew accustomed to pitching in cool, dry weather during his days in Oakland.

So perhaps it was a good omen that the hot, sticky weather Dempster endured Saturday preceded a cool afternoon Sunday as Harden took the mound against Washington.

Maybe someone up there really does like the Cubs.

Harden did his usual thing, pitching seven solid innings in a 6-1 victory over the Nationals as the Cubs captured their eighth straight series and remained 4 ½ games ahead of Milwaukee.

"Man, it was a beautiful day, compared to [Saturday], with the heat and humidity," Harden said. "[Dempster] said that was worse than pitching in Florida during the day. It was perfect conditions today. The wind kept blowing in a little bit too. It was a good day to pitch."

Harden allowed one run on two hits, tying a career high with 11 strikeouts in the latest of a series of dominant outings. It was his fifth double-digit-strikeout game as a Cub. He had only two for the Athletics the previous 5 ½ seasons.

"Every time he goes out there he gives you a consistent effort," manager Lou Piniella said. "I think he's had one start where he's given up runs. Outside of that, he goes into the sixth or seventh inning, depending on the pitch count, and gives you a chance to win a ballgame."

The Cubs improved to 80-50, the best record in the majors after Tampa Bay's loss to the White Sox. They've won 22 of their last 30 games and have held opponents to two or fewer runs in 10 of their last 13.

Arizona: The Diamondbacks optioned left-hander Doug Slaten to Class AAA Tucson, recalling right-hander Billy Buckner for the third time this season.

Cincinnati: Reds starter Johnny Cueto left Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies after three innings with soreness in his right triceps tendon. The Reds said he will be examined today in Cincinnati.

New York: It's looking more and more like John Maine's injured shoulder is going to give out before he voluntarily calls it quits for this season. Maine was so determined to make Saturday's start against the Astros that he received a cortisone shot in the back of his shoulder Thursday, then didn't pick up a baseball again until the day of the game. Though it's not usually recommended, Maine insisted on making the start, and the Mets were willing to let him try as long as he could tolerate the pain. The results were not good, as Maine allowed 10 hits in 5-1/3 innings and matched a career high with eight runs in an 8-3 loss to the Astros.

Pittsburgh: Pirates manager John Russell and first baseman Adam LaRoche were ejected before the sixth inning of Sunday's 4-3, 12-inning loss to the Milwaukee Brewers for arguing balls and strikes. Pittsburgh led 1-0 when LaRoche was ejected by plate umpire Bob Davidson, a half-inning after he was upset at a called third strike that ended a Pirates rally.

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