HOUSTON DEFEATS CUBS 5-3 ON A CARLOS LEE HOME RUN AS HOUSTON TAKES SERIES
After the Cubs went 8-2 on their latest home stand which made their record at home 19-8, it seems as if they forgot how to play anywhere else. After losing to the Astros 5-3 and losing the series, the Cubs find themselves 9-11 away from the friendly Confines. If a team wants to find themselves in the post-season, they need to win the big games on the road. In a series that had playoff atmosphere, both teams were out to make statements. The Astros were louder than the Cubs according to Shawn Chaccon, who got the decision in the victory. "One message the Cubs might get out of it is, 'We're here. We're here to compete. We're going to battle,'" Chacon said. "'It's not the team it was last year. Basically, it's going to be a tough team to beat the whole year.'"
The evening started out great for the Cubs. With Soriano resting, Pinella shook up the lineup with Theriot hitting first and Fukudome hitting second. In the first inning, Fukudome walked and was on the ride with Derek Lee's 11th home run of the year. Lee is 6 for his last 13. Soto added an RBI double later in the inning and the Cubs were up to an early lead 3-0. But the Cubs were never able to scratch out any more runs against Astros starter Chacon as he settled down. At one point, he reitred ten Cubs in a row.
Sean Gallager got the start as he received a boost of confidence from Pinella from his previous start. Gallager escaped a major jam in the first with runners on first in second with no outs with Tejada, Berkman, and Lee coming up. He able to get all three out without any damage. However, in the third inning, Gallager didn't have any luck the next time. Michael Bourn and Kaz Matsui each singled, and Miguel Tejada then lined a ball off starter Sean Gallagher's right shin that caromed into shallow right, driving in a run. One out later, Lee notched his 10th home run off an 0-2 pitch, putting the Astros ahead, 4-3. Astros would later add another run in the fifth from a Geoff Blum RBI single and would never look back as the Cubs were not able to get anything going all night.
If the Cubs can not win on the road, they will make the race in the NL central closer than it should be.
SIDE NOTE: MARK DEROSA'S hitting streak of 11 games ended as he went 0-3
Keywords: Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs, Derek Lee, Houston Astros, Lance Berkman, Lou Pinella, Miguel Tejada, MLB, National League, Sean Gallager
