By Jeremy Kahn

Kyle Schwarber continues to hit the ball well, so Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon keeps sending him out there.

Schwarber picked up two hits and drove in two runs, as the Cubs defeated the San Francisco Giants 7-3 at Wrigley Field for their eighth win in their last nine games.

With the victory, the Cubs lengthen their lead in that second wild card spot to 1.5 games over the defending World Champion Giants. The Cubs are now 12 games over the .500 mark with a 60-48 record, the first time that they have been 12 games over .500 since they won the Central Division in 2008.

Dexter Fowler picked up three hits including a home run for the Cubs.

Jorge Soler added two hits with a single and a double, while Chris Coghlan also picked up two hits.

Jon Lester went seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out three.

Ryan Vogelsong, starting in place of the injured Mike Leake lasted just four innings, allowing three runs on six hits.

Leake, who was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds at the trading deadline was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a tight hamstring.

Nori Aoki hit a home run for the Giants, but it was not enough and the Giants fall to 3-5 on their 10-game road trip.