MLB: Chicago Cubs 5, St. Louis 2

Baker, playing in his 17th major league contest this season, was hitting just .107 when he stroked a two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the first, capping a three-run rally.

Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano drove in one run apiece in the fifth for the Cubs, who stopped their three-game losing streak.

Winner Ted Lilly (9-6) yielded one run and four hits in eight innings. Closer Kevin Gregg earned his 16th save by squelching a ninth-inning St. Louis rally with a game-ending strikeout.

The Cubs lost first baseman Derrek Lee to back spasms after five innings.

Ryan Ludwick and Yadier Molina had one RBI apiece, and Albert Pujols had two of the six hits for the Cardinals, who had won four in a row.

The losing pitcher was starter Brad Thompson (2-6).

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.