Chicago Cubs overwhelm Houston Astros with 5-1 win – MLB News
Travis Wood pitched 7.2 perfect innings on Wednesday, September 12, to help the Chicago Cubs beat the Houston Astros 5-1, winning the three-game series 2-1 at Minute Maid Park.
Wood, who had lost eight consecutive games, was in supreme form here, overwhelming the rivals with class.
"The ball is coming out good," Wood said. "I have been able to locate pitches. I just want to finish the season strong and show that I can handle a full season."
Cubs, which had won the first game 4-1 came down effectively hard here after losing the second 1-0. Welington Castillo was first to score for the Cubs. Fernando Abad did well in his 3.1 inning for Astros until Chuckie Fick’s arrival who gave up a hit and a run in the fifth.
With 2-0 lead and Wood pitching marvellously well, Alfonso Soriano scored a single to left in the seventh as Anthony Recker took the lead to 4-0 in the eighth. Fernando Martinez was the only Astros' hitter to score a run in the eighth.
Wood’s outing was of sheer class, drawing the team manager Dale Sveum’s praise. "When we got him, we knew he had some arm strength and arm speed and could do some things," Sveum said. "Obviously, a lot of that one-way pitching was getting him in trouble. “
Mickey Storey, the Houston Astros' reliever, had to leave the game incomplete with a contusion to his right hand after being hit. "The best thing I can take from this is that it didn't hit somewhere worse," Storey said. "Initially, it was shock and hurt, but I think I'll be all right. Hopefully, I'll be back out there soon."
With this win, the Cubs will have a day off and then the opener of a four-game series at Wrigley Field from Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates, being just two and a half games behind the St. Louis Cardinals, will try to make most out of the series, while the Cubs are in stronger position to offset the balance for them in the National League Central.
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