CHICAGO — Ted Lilly allowed four hits and a run in eight strong innings to earn his 100th career victory as the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 today.

Lilly (9-6), the Cubs' lone selection to the All-Star game, walked one and struck out four in a 103-pitch outing and left with a 5-1 lead. The veteran left-hander was staked to an early 3-0 lead with Jeff Baker hitting a two-run, bases-loaded single in the first.

St. Louis got a run in the ninth off reliever Carlos Marmol and had the tying run at the plate before closer Kevin Gregg struck out pinch-hitter Skip Schumaker to end the game.