Chicago Cubs defeat Houston Astros 9-5 – MLB Update
The National League’s Chicago Cubs snatched the three-game series overpowering division rivals the Houston Astros 9-5 on Wednesday, April 13 at Minute Maid Park in Texas.
In a stadium full of spectators, the Cubs’ first baseman Jeff Baker led off the outing with a line drive to deep right-field while Marlon Byrd and Aramis Ramirez earned a pair of singles. Left-fielder Alfonso Soriano, then, landed to the plate having Geovany
Soto on first base and launched a 392-feet long three-run homer putting the opponents under huge pressure with 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
The Cubs withstood the explosion and were eager to take full benefit of the early break-through, but the Astros’ starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez bounced back brilliantly in his four later innings. The recuperating performance of the right-hand hurler, who
made his second start of the season, finished with no more allowed runs and just walks. It ended his outing with five runs including a homer while managing four strike-outs.
The Astros’ starter Carlos Zambrano made five shut-out innings before launching a 428-feet long homer in the top of sixth inning. However, the Astros struck back strongly in the bottom of the sixth and blistered five splendid runs.
The Astros’ hitter Carlos Lee started the sixth inning with an RBI single and received full support from Brett Wallace who trimmed the lead to 6-2. As Zambrano had pitched loose, the Astros utilised the opportunity and added another run when Bill Hall grounded
into fielder’s choice. Out of all runs, third baseman Matt Downs awarded the real blow to the Cubs hammering a brilliant two-run homer to curtail the lead to 6-5.
The Astros could not clutch the opportunity to create any run in the later innings. The Cubs increased their already present lead by three more runs in the ninth inning, when Darwin Barney, Byrd and Ramirez added a RBI singles, off the Houston’ reliever
Wilton Lopez. With four runs ahead, the Cubs’ closer Carlos Marmol won his first save, did not allow any hit and the Cubs snatched their sixth victory of the season.
Zambrano received five runs and allowed three walks over his five innings while managing four strike-outs. It will be interesting to see how the Cubs carry their winning momentum into their next match-up. The Astros put in a decent performance, but it was
not enough to contain the Cubs’ offence.
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