A grand slam homer by Aramis Ramirez highlighted a five-run eighth inning Thursday that rallied the Chicago Cubs past Philadelphia 6-4.

The Phillies were in position to move back into a tie with the New York Mets for the lead in the National League East. Instead, Philadelphia fell a full game behind the Mets and the Cubs won their sixth straight while extending their lead in the NL Central to 6 1/2 games over Milwaukee.

Ryan Madson took the mound in the eighth for Philadelphia to protect a 4-1 lead.

Mike Fontenot hit a leadoff homer, after which Alfonso Soriano doubled and Ryan Theriot singled. Chad Durbin (5-3) came on to replace Madson and walked Derrek Lee to load the bases.

That brought up Ramirez, who hit a 1-0 pitch over the wall in center.

The comeback made a winner out of Bob Howry (6-4), who worked a scoreless eighth. Kerry Wood came on for the fourth game in a row and picked up his 28th save.

Philadelphia starter Cole Hamels limited Chicago to a run on five hits while striking out six through seven innings.

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