Pirates beaten 8-0 by Chicago

The Cubs extended their NL Central lead to 31⁄2 games.

CHICAGO (AP) — Derrek Lee was a member of the Florida Marlins four years ago when they came to Wrigley Field and won the NL championship series. What he heard from the crowd Sunday in the Chicago Cubs’ regular season finale at home sounded very familiar.

“This is playoff atmosphere already. I remember playing here in ’03 in the playoffs, this is pretty close right now. I’m excited if we are able to get into the playoffs what it will be like,” Lee said.

Lee homered and Carlos Zambrano earned his career-best 17th win to help the Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-0.

The victory, coupled with Milwaukee’s 7-4 loss in Atlanta, pushed Chicago’s lead in the NL Central to 31⁄2 games with six to go — all away from home.

Finish on the road

The Cubs, who have won 10 of 12, are off today before hitting the road to play Florida and Cincinnati as they try to wrap up their first playoff berth in four years. The second-place Brewers have seven games left — all at home — against the Cardinals and Padres.

“I felt all along in September we’d get hot and we have,” Chicago manager Lou Piniella said. “We’ve still got some work to do. This is a tough little trip. ... I’ll be more excited if and when we clinch. That’s what this is all about. We’re in good position, but again there is baseball to be played.”

Zambrano allowed just three hits in six innings but was forced to leave with cramping in his forearm and legs while warming up for the top of the seventh.

He had doubled and raced home to score in the sixth, and that contributed to his problem. He had a similar bout with heat cramping against the Mets in August and vowed to drink more water.

“I’m a pitcher, not a doctor,” Zambrano said. “But I have to do like a month ago. I had the same thing. I took care of that and now I have to do the same thing and start drinking more Gatorade and whatever. Whatever I have to do to solve the problem.”

Ninth straight loss

Ronny Cedeno — a late addition to the lineup when regular shortstop Ryan Theriot was scratched with back spasms — also homered as the Cubs sent the Pirates to their ninth straight loss.

“We ran into a buzz saw. It’s that simple,” Pirates manager Jim Tracy said. “They are very focused and on a mission. After today, personally I think they’re going to accomplish it. ... Just everything is going right for them.”