The Cubs got a couple of breaks from the Cardinals’ shaky fielding to build the five-run cushion, and Lilly added a squeeze bunt for an RBI.

“They’re a good club, you can’t give them those opportunities,” St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said.

Chicago loaded the bases in the second on two walks and former Cardinals star Jim Edmonds’ double. Alfonso Soriano singled in a pair with two outs and a third run scored when the ball got by left fielder Brian Barton.

Chicago added two in the fourth off Joel Pineiro (6-7), taking advantage of third baseman Glaus’ error.

Now, Piniella can give his team some rest while prepping for the playoffs.

After losing three straight to the Diamondbacks a year ago, the Cubs were active in the offseason and stayed busy during the year. They signed Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, who has slumped in the second half, to a $48 million, four-year contract. They picked up castoffs Edmonds and Reed Johnson, and they’ve formed a solid platoon in center field. And they brought in hard-throwing Rich Harden in a July trade with Oakland to bolster an already strong rotation.

There was also a pivotal change in the pitching staff.

Ryan Dempster, now a 16-game winner, went from closer to starter. And one-time ace Wood, whose career has been sidetracked by injuries, made the transition to closer with a fastball still registering in the mid 90s.

Catcher Geovany Soto emerged as a handler of pitchers and one of the team’s most potent bats.

Add in the 65-year-old Piniella’s wisdom, his humor, occasional angry outburst and his ability to use all his players and the Cubs have another division winner. Last year they overcame a slow start to overtake Milwaukee. This year they’ve been in first or tied for it since May 11.

Notes: Leo Hildebrand, 104-year-old Cubs fan who lives in nearby Bensenville, threw out the first pitch. ... Pineiro had flown home Thursday to Florida to be with his wife as she delivered twins and then made it back to Chicago on Friday evening. ... With one regular-season home game left Sunday, The Cubs have now drawn a single-season attendance record of 3,259,649. ... Lilly set a career best for wins.

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