Houston Astros defeat Chicago Cubs 3-2 – MLB Update
Houston Astros took advantage of the umpires review on Sunday, September 19 to beat the Chicago Cubs 3-2 at Wrigley Field.
Having lost the previous two games, the Astros maintained their poise and got on the Cubs to avoid the series sweep.
The game was exciting and faced a bit of uncertainty in the eighth inning when Carlos Pena’s hit was first called a two-run homer, but upon the review it was overturned that ultimately benefited the Astros to win the game.
The Houston Astros’ manager had an explanation for it. "When I saw it, the ball got mixed up somehow in the ivy," Mills said. "If the ball went over the fence and then came back, there's no way gonna hit the ivy. It's an impossibility."
The call that put the Chicago Cubs’ bid for winning the series at jeopardy forced the team’s manager to come forward and argue for the team. That was quite an altercation on his part. However, he was candid enough at the end to acknowledge that the umpires’
decision was not inaccurate.
"Marty's got the decision on whether it's a home run or not, and he's also got the decision on where the runner is," Quade said. "I'm sure they got the technique correct, I just wonder how you can see both things."
With everything at stake for the Astros as they had lost the last two games 4-3 and 2-1, Houston needed a strong saver. It was Mark Melancon who alone had the capability to do it, as he had the 18th save of the season to wrap up the game for the
Astros.
Brett Myers had a wonderful game, allowing only two runs in his seven innings with five strike-outs and giving up seven hits compared to the Chicago Cubs’ starter Ryan Dempster who allowed three runs in his seven innings with only two strike-outs that made
his ERA stand at 4.63.
The Houston Astros went against Dempster with unusual aggression. J. D. Martinez was first to score a single to centre to give the team a 1-0 lead while Clint Barmes had a two-run single to finish the first inning with a 3-0 lead.
Bryan LaHair hit a sacrifice hit to bring the lead down to 3-1. None of the hitters could then carry it forward apart from a hit in the eighth by Aramis Ramirez that made it 3-2 for the Chicago Cubs.
Mark Melancon, however, came as a reliable closer for the Astros to end the game with a 3-2 win for the Houston Astros to avoid a three-game sweep. The Astros put in a tremendous performance as they managed to restrict the Cubs’ offence and get a much needed
win.
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