CHICAGO — Aramis Ramirez is used to playing in front of a wild crowd at Wrigley Field. Happens all the time.

But yesterday's game was a little more energized than usual, a first-place showdown with the other team that plays in the same city, the White Sox. And Ramirez responded. Did he ever.

Derrek Lee and Ramirez tied the game with back-to-back homers in the seventh off Octavio Dotel. Ramirez then sent Wrigley Field into pandemonium with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the ninth that gave the weary Cubs a 4-3 victory.

"Anytime you hit a walkoff, it's special. You just won the game," Ramirez said.

"It's great to play in front of 40,000 every day and we take advantage of it."

Ramirez lined a 1-0 pitch from Scott Linebrink (2-2) over the wall in center and the majority of the 41,106 fans — most of them obviously pulling for the Cubs — went home happy.

The game marked the first time the two city rivals met as first-place teams since interleague play began in 1997.

A.J. Pierzynski and Jermaine Dye homered for the White Sox.

"Fans were great both ways," Pierzynski said. "Booing and cheering: 'Let's Go Cubs, Let's Go White Sox.' Back and forth. It's a fun atmosphere. This is what baseball is supposed to be."

The two teams met in the 1906 World Series — city fans are envisioning a rematch this season — with the White Sox winning. Two years later, the Cubs won their second straight World Series and haven't captured another since, a 100-year drought.

The White Sox got a leadoff double from Brian Anderson in the ninth off Kerry Wood (4-1), who then retired the next three batters.Mariners 10, Braves 2: Jose Lopez drove in four runs with three hits, including a three-run double in the eighth, and Seattle enjoyed one of its best offensive games of the year, routing host Atlanta in Jim Riggleman's debut. The Mariners matched their season high with 15 hits, including a season-high eight doubles. Riggleman was promoted from bench coach when John McLaren was fired Thursday morning. Seattle starter Erik Bedard left with back spasms in his right side after three scoreless innings.

Twins 7, Diamondbacks 2: Scott Baker won for the first time in more than two months, Craig Monroe homered and host Minnesota beat Randy Johnson and Arizona. Johnson (4-5) gave up 11 hits and struck out a season-low one, but still pitched his first complete game since Aug. 24, 2006. Baker (3-2) struck out seven and allowed seven hits over six innings to win for the first time since April 9.

Reds 4, Yankees 2: Edinson Volquez (10-2) allowed two runs in seven innings in Cincinnati's first game at Yankee Stadium in 32 years, and the Reds beat Mike Mussina and New York to end a five-game skid. Jolbert Cabrera had four hits before departing with a dislocated finger, and Joey Votto homered for Cincinnati. Mussina (10-5) allowed four runs and 10 hits in eight innings.

Angels 7, Phillies 1: Ervin Santana struck out nine in seven innings, Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run homer and Los Angeles beat host Philadelphia in an interleague matchup of division leaders. Santana (9-3) allowed two hits and one unearned run. Guerrero had three hits and three RBIs, and Howie Kendrick was 4 for 5.

Orioles 8, Brewers 5: Aubrey Huff went 4 for 5 with two homers, and Baltimore's bullpen pitched seven scoreless innings against host Milwaukee. Baltimore closer George Sherrill got out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the ninth by striking out Bill Hall and then forcing Gabe Kapler into a game-ending double play for his 25th save.

Padres 6, Tigers 2: Adrian Gonzalez drove in the go-ahead run with a bases-loaded single in the eighth inning and host San Diego snapped a four-game losing streak by beating Detroit. The 42-year-old Greg Maddux left with a 2-1 lead, but the Tigers tied it when Heath Bell (5-3) allowed Placido Polanco's homer with two outs in the eighth.

Pirates 1, Blue Jays 0: Shortstop John McDonald misplayed Jason Michaels' hard-hit grounder with the bases loaded and none out for a game-ending error in the 12th inning, and host Pittsburgh ruined Cito Gaston's return as Toronto's manager. Kaua'i-born Tyler Yates (3-0) pitched two innings to win it after Zach Duke shut out Toronto for seven innings.

Giants 9, Royals 4: Ray Durham had three hits, including a three-run double in a four-run sixth, and San Francisco snapped host Kansas City's five-game winning streak. The Giants, who trailed 4-0 after three innings, scored all of their runs in the sixth with two outs off relievers Yasuhiko Yabuta (1-3) and Carlos Rosa.

Nationals 4, Rangers 3: Elijah Dukes drove in the winning run with two outs in the 14th inning with his fifth hit to lift host Washington over Texas. The Nationals loaded the bases with a hit batter and two walks. Dukes' ground ball off Jamey Wright (4-3) found a hole in the left side of the infield, enough to score Felipe Lopez from third.

Astros 4, Rays 3: Roy Oswalt pitched into the eighth inning, Carlos Lee had a two-run double in the first inning and Houston snapped an eight-game losing streak by beating host Tampa Bay. Oswalt (6-7) gave up two runs and seven hits in 7 2/3 innings with two walks and five strikeouts.

Indians 5, Dodgers 4: Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run double with two out in the 10th inning after the Cleveland bullpen blew a four-run lead for Cliff Lee, and Cleveland beat host Los Angeles.

Cardinals 5, Red Sox 4: Kyle Lohse won his sixth straight start and St. Louis hit three homers to beat host Boston. Lohse (9-2) allowed one earned run and six hits in six innings.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Mets 7, Rockies 2: Carlos Delgado hit a two-run homer as part of a five-run second inning and John Maine composed himself after a shaky first, lifting New York over host Colorado. Maine (7-5) went 6 2/3 innings, giving up two runs and six hits as he stopped a personal two-game slide.