CHICAGO — Randy Wells pitched eight shutout innings and Alfonso Soriano hit a three-run homer during a six-run first on Wednesday, leading the Chicago Cubs to an 12-0 victory over the Houston Astros.

Aramis Ramirez homered and drove in two runs for the Cubs, who battered Mike Hampton and improved to 10-3 since the All-Star break.

Wells (7-4) gave up six singles, walked two, struck out one and let only one runner get as far as second base.

Mitch Atkins, making his major league debut after getting called up from Triple-A Iowa, completed the Cubs’ third shutout...

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