Chicago Cubs defeat Houston Astros 5-1 – MLB Update
Randy Wells put in a brilliant performance to help the Chicago Cubs beat the Houston Astros 5-1 on Saturday, July 23 at Wrigley Field.
Wells, who had been unable to do something extraordinary for quite a while now, came across as a rejuvenated starter willing to go down hard on the Houston Astros. His pitching did work on Saturday.
“For a second there, I thought here we go again. I just tried to stay calm and make pitches. I was able to make some key pitches there and get some big outs and I was able to escape it. It was good." said Wells.
His rival in the game, Wandy Rodriguez – the Houston starter, did his part but failed where he was supposed to succeed. However, the team manager had a strong defence for him when the game ended with a result against the Astros.
"Wandy did an absolutely outstanding job, threw the ball really well. Usually the solo shots don't hurt you. Today, it got him behind and we were having problems knocking in runners in scoring position," said Astros’ manager Brad Mills.
Marlon Byrd started the game in characteristic fashion for the Chicago Cubs in the second inning when Rodriguez came on the mound to pitch. Randy Wells, on the other hand, was also unplayable.
Wells kept on pitching strong innings while being occasionally supported by the offence. Geovany Soto homered to left in the fifth inning against Rodriguez to double the Cubs’ lead. The Astros’ Carlos Lee responded back with a single in the sixth to make
it 2-1.
Randy kept throwing effective innings while Rodriguez entered into the seventh with his high-class pitching, keeping the score at 2-1. Everything, however, turned just when the Astros thought they had a better position in the game to stage a comeback.
As Sergio Escalona replaced Rodriguez, the Cubs’ hitters opened their bats against the reliever. Starlin Castro was the first to drive in an RBI single to take the score to 3-1. As if that was not enough, Soto came back with a bigger hit.
Soto drove in a two-run RBI to strengthen the Cubs’ lead, making it 5-1. The lead was enough for Carlos Marmol to pitch a shut-out ninth to turn into a 5-1 win for the Cubs against the struggling Astros.
The Cubs put in a tremendous effort as they managed to limit the Astros’ offence. Houston will be looking to improve their performance to become more competitive.
The Astros are now reeling behind with no less than 67 losses compared to only 33 wins.
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