Chicago, IL -- (Sports Network) - Rich Harden dominated for seven innings, and the Cubs tagged the Cincinnati bullpen for four runs in the eighth as Chicago downed the Reds, 5-0, in the opener of a three-game set.

Harden (3-1) surrendered just two hits -- both singles -- and struck out 10 with no walks, combining with Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood on the three-hit shutout. Derrek Lee went 2-for-4 and knocked in a run, and Kosuke Fukudome hit a two-run single for the Cubs, who have won 17 of 21 to move a season-high 29 games over .500, at an NL-best 77-48.

Johnny Cueto (8-12) took the tough loss despite holding the Cubs to one run on four hits in seven frames, with six strikeouts and two walks. Reliever Mike Lincoln surrendered four runs on three hits in the eighth, and didn't record an out for the Reds, who have dropped four of six.

Holding a 1-0 lead, the Cubs tagged Lincoln and the Cincy bullpen in the eighth. Alfonso Soriano singled to get things started, and Ryan Theriot bunted to try to move him up. Lincoln tried to get Soriano at second, but his throw pulled Jeff Keppinger off the bag.

Lee then singled in Soriano, and Aramis Ramirez doubled down the line, plating Theriot and bringing on reliever Bill Bray. Bray fanned pinch-hitter Reed Johnson and walked Geovany Soto to load the bases. Fukudome then singled to center, plating two runs for a five-run cushion.

That was more than enough, as Wood struck out two and worked around a two-out single in the ninth to cap the shutout.

After Harden and Cueto traded scoreless frames through four innings, Soto tripled to center to lead off the fifth. Fukudome walked and Mark DeRosa struck out, but Harden helped himself with a sacrifice bunt that scored Soto for a 1-0 lead.

Cincinnati only had one runner in scoring position in the game. Chris Dickerson singled to right with two outs in the sixth and stole second. Harden fanned Keppinger, though, to keep the Reds scoreless.

"Maybe a new league, seeing some new guys, they haven't really seen me that much," said Harden, who logged his fourth double-digit strikeout game in seven starts with the Cubs. Harden has 59 strikeouts in 42 innings since Chicago acquired him from Oakland. "I have to give a lot of credit to Soto. Every game we've worked together, we've been on the same page."

Game Notes

The Cubs are 12-4 in August...Harden is 8-2 on the season between Oakland and the Cubs with a 2.04 ERA. His ERA in seven starts with Chicago is 1.50...Reds starter Aaron Harang will miss his next start, which was scheduled for Thursday, due to neck spasms. Josh Fogg will start in his place, and Harang will try to go on Friday against the Colorado Rockies.