GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: HOUSTON (39-52) at CHICAGO CUBS (46-43)

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 1 4 1 0 0 0 0 6 11 1
CHICAGO CUBS 0 6 0 1 0 0 0 7 10 0 (TOP 8)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - CHAD QUALLS
CHN - MIKE WUERTZ

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: H PENCE (.336, 1-FOR-3, BB)
L BERKMAN (.262, 2-FOR-2, 2 BB, 3 RBI)
C LEE (.293, 0-FOR-4)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (6) VS CHICAGO CUBS (7) - END 7TH - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke 2b 4 1 0 0 1 2 4 .229
H Pence cf 3 1 1 0 1 1 2 .336
L Berkman 1b 2 0 2 3 2 0 0 .262
C Lee lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 5 .293
M Loretta ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .315
E Bruntlett pr-ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .295
M Lamb 3b 4 2 3 1 0 0 0 .298
L Scott rf 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 .224
B Ausmus c 4 1 2 1 0 0 2 .253
W Rodriguez p 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .179
D Borkowski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-C Biggio ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .255
M Albers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
b-M Ensberg ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .221
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 30 6 11 6 6 5 16

a-struck out swinging for D Borkowski in the 5th; b-walked for M Albers in the
7th.

BATTING: 2B - H Pence (24, J Marquis); L Scott (15, J Marquis); L Berkman (10,
J Marquis). HR - M Lamb (8, 3rd inning off J Marquis 0 on, 1 Out). S - W
Rodriguez. RBI - L Berkman 3 (60), L Scott (39), B Ausmus (19), M Lamb (26).
2-out RBI - L Berkman 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Loretta 1,
C Biggio 1, C Lee 2, C Burke 2. GIDP - C Burke. Team LOB - 10.

BASERUNNING: SB - L Berkman (5, 2nd base off J Marquis/G Soto), H Pence (8,
2nd base off J Marquis/G Soto).

FIELDING: E - B Ausmus (3, throw). DP: 1 (D Borkowski-L Berkman).


CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Theriot ss-2b 4 2 2 1 0 1 0 .283
M Fontenot 2b 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .333
C Marmol p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000
W Ohman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M Wuertz p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Lee 1b 3 1 3 3 1 0 0 .335
A Ramirez 3b 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .313
A Soriano lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .308
M DeRosa rf 3 1 1 0 1 1 1 .297
G Soto c 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 .143
A Pagan cf 3 1 1 2 0 0 2 .269
J Marquis p 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 .171
S Eyre p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Izturis ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .246

Totals 30 7 10 7 3 6 10

BATTING: 2B - M DeRosa (18, W Rodriguez). HR - A Pagan (4, 2nd inning off W
Rodriguez 1 on, 1 Out), D Lee (7, 2nd inning off W Rodriguez 2 on, 2 Out), R
Theriot (2, 4th inning off W Rodriguez 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - G Soto (1), A Pagan
2 (15), D Lee 3 (47), R Theriot (26). 2-out RBI - D Lee 3. Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - M DeRosa 1. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: SB - D Lee (4, 2nd base off C Qualls/B Ausmus).

FIELDING: DP: 1 (J Marquis-R Theriot-D Lee).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 141 000 0 -- 6
CHICAGO CUBS - 060 100 0 -- 7
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Rodriguez 3 1/3 9 7 7 2 2 3 4.33
D Borkowski 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.31
M Albers 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 5.82
C Qualls 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 3.94

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Marquis 4 8 6 6 3 2 1 4.03
S Eyre 2/3 1 0 0 1 0 0 6.46
C Marmol 1 1/3 1 0 0 1 2 0 0.88
W Ohman 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.05
M Wuertz 1/3 0 0 0 1 1 0 3.73

C Marmol pitched to 1 batter in the 7th.

Pitches-strikes: W Rodriguez 77-48; D Borkowski 3-2; M Albers 29-19; C Qualls
17-12; J Marquis 82-49; S Eyre 19-12; C Marmol 26-14; W Ohman 10-6; M Wuertz
11-4. Ground balls-fly balls: W Rodriguez 4-4; D Borkowski 0-1; M Albers 3-1; C
Qualls 0-1; J Marquis 6-4; S Eyre 1-1; C Marmol 0-2; W Ohman 0-2; M Wuertz 0-0.
Batters faced: W Rodriguez 21; D Borkowski 1; M Albers 7; C Qualls 4; J Marquis
22; S Eyre 4; C Marmol 6; W Ohman 3; M Wuertz 2.

UMPIRES: HP--Tony Randazzo. 1B--Charlie Reliford. 2B--Greg Gibson. 3B--Larry
Vanover.

Weather: 72 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, in from right.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 1 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 11 1
CHICAGO CUBS 0 6 0 1 0 0 0 7 10 0 (BOT 8)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - CHAD QUALLS
CHN - MIKE WUERTZ

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: G SOTO (.143, 1-FOR-2, BB, RBI)
A PAGAN (.269, 1-FOR-3, HR, 2 RBI)
C IZTURIS (.246, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (6) VS CHICAGO CUBS (7) - MID 8TH - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke 2b 4 1 0 0 1 2 4 .229
H Pence cf 4 1 1 0 1 2 2 .334
L Berkman 1b 3 0 2 3 2 0 0 .261
C Lee lf 5 0 0 0 0 1 5 .292
M Loretta ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .315
E Bruntlett pr-ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .295
M Lamb 3b 4 2 3 1 0 0 0 .298
L Scott rf 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 .224
B Ausmus c 4 1 2 1 0 0 2 .253
W Rodriguez p 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .179
D Borkowski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-C Biggio ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .255
M Albers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
b-M Ensberg ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .221
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 33 6 11 6 6 6 16

a-struck out swinging for D Borkowski in the 5th; b-walked for M Albers in the
7th.

BATTING: 2B - H Pence (24, J Marquis); L Scott (15, J Marquis); L Berkman (10,
J Marquis). HR - M Lamb (8, 3rd inning off J Marquis 0 on, 1 Out). S - W
Rodriguez. RBI - L Berkman 3 (60), L Scott (39), B Ausmus (19), M Lamb (26).
2-out RBI - L Berkman 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Loretta 1,
C Biggio 1, C Lee 2, C Burke 2. GIDP - C Burke. Team LOB - 10.

BASERUNNING: SB - L Berkman (5, 2nd base off J Marquis/G Soto), H Pence (8,
2nd base off J Marquis/G Soto).

FIELDING: E - B Ausmus (3, throw). DP: 1 (D Borkowski-L Berkman).


CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Theriot ss-2b 4 2 2 1 0 1 0 .283
M Fontenot 2b 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .333
C Marmol p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000
W Ohman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M Wuertz p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Lee 1b 3 1 3 3 1 0 0 .335
A Ramirez 3b 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .313
A Soriano lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .308
M DeRosa rf 3 1 1 0 1 1 1 .297
G Soto c 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 .143
A Pagan cf 3 1 1 2 0 0 2 .269
J Marquis p 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 .171
S Eyre p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Izturis ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .246

Totals 30 7 10 7 3 6 10

BATTING: 2B - M DeRosa (18, W Rodriguez). HR - A Pagan (4, 2nd inning off W
Rodriguez 1 on, 1 Out), D Lee (7, 2nd inning off W Rodriguez 2 on, 2 Out), R
Theriot (2, 4th inning off W Rodriguez 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - G Soto (1), A Pagan
2 (15), D Lee 3 (47), R Theriot (26). 2-out RBI - D Lee 3. Runners left in
scoring position, 2 out - M DeRosa 1. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: SB - D Lee (4, 2nd base off C Qualls/B Ausmus).

FIELDING: DP: 1 (J Marquis-R Theriot-D Lee).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 141 000 00 -- 6
CHICAGO CUBS - 060 100 0 -- 7
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Rodriguez 3 1/3 9 7 7 2 2 3 4.33
D Borkowski 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.31
M Albers 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 5.82
C Qualls 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 3.94

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Marquis 4 8 6 6 3 2 1 4.03
S Eyre 2/3 1 0 0 1 0 0 6.46
C Marmol 1 1/3 1 0 0 1 2 0 0.88
W Ohman 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.05
M Wuertz 1 1/3 0 0 0 1 2 0 3.64

C Marmol pitched to 1 batter in the 7th.

Pitches-strikes: W Rodriguez 77-48; D Borkowski 3-2; M Albers 29-19; C Qualls
17-12; J Marquis 82-49; S Eyre 19-12; C Marmol 26-14; W Ohman 10-6; M Wuertz
27-14. Ground balls-fly balls: W Rodriguez 4-4; D Borkowski 0-1; M Albers 3-1;
C Qualls 0-1; J Marquis 6-4; S Eyre 1-1; C Marmol 0-2; W Ohman 0-2; M Wuertz
1-1. Batters faced: W Rodriguez 21; D Borkowski 1; M Albers 7; C Qualls 4; J
Marquis 22; S Eyre 4; C Marmol 6; W Ohman 3; M Wuertz 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Tony Randazzo. 1B--Charlie Reliford. 2B--Greg Gibson. 3B--Larry
Vanover.

Weather: 72 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, in from right.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Jones hit for G Soto.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 6
CHICAGO CUBS 7 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR CHICAGO CUBS: J Jones (.233, 2 HR, 21 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 1 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 11 1
CHICAGO CUBS 0 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 7 11 0 (TOP 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: HOU - CHAD QUALLS
CHN - MIKE WUERTZ

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: E BRUNTLETT (.295, 0 HR, 4 RBI)
M LAMB (.298, 3-FOR-4, HR, RBI)
L SCOTT (.224, 1-FOR-3, BB, RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (6) VS CHICAGO CUBS (7) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke 2b 4 1 0 0 1 2 4 .229
H Pence cf 4 1 1 0 1 2 2 .334
L Berkman 1b 3 0 2 3 2 0 0 .261
C Lee lf 5 0 0 0 0 1 5 .292
M Loretta ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .315
E Bruntlett pr-ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .295
M Lamb 3b 4 2 3 1 0 0 0 .298
L Scott rf 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 .224
B Ausmus c 4 1 2 1 0 0 2 .253
W Rodriguez p 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .179
D Borkowski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-C Biggio ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .255
M Albers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
b-M Ensberg ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .221
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 33 6 11 6 6 6 16

a-struck out swinging for D Borkowski in the 5th; b-walked for M Albers in the
7th.

BATTING: 2B - H Pence (24, J Marquis); L Scott (15, J Marquis); L Berkman (10,
J Marquis). HR - M Lamb (8, 3rd inning off J Marquis 0 on, 1 Out). S - W
Rodriguez. RBI - L Berkman 3 (60), L Scott (39), B Ausmus (19), M Lamb (26).
2-out RBI - L Berkman 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Loretta 1,
C Biggio 1, C Lee 2, C Burke 2. GIDP - C Burke. Team LOB - 10.

BASERUNNING: SB - L Berkman (5, 2nd base off J Marquis/G Soto), H Pence (8,
2nd base off J Marquis/G Soto).

FIELDING: E - B Ausmus (3, throw). DP: 1 (D Borkowski-L Berkman).


CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Theriot ss-2b 5 2 2 1 0 1 1 .282
M Fontenot 2b 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .333
C Marmol p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000
W Ohman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M Wuertz p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Lee 1b 3 1 3 3 1 0 0 .335
A Ramirez 3b 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .313
A Soriano lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .308
M DeRosa rf 3 1 1 0 1 1 1 .297
G Soto c 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 .143
a-J Jones ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .232
A Pagan cf 4 1 2 2 0 0 2 .275
J Marquis p 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 .171
S Eyre p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Izturis ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .246

Totals 33 7 11 7 3 6 11

a-grounded to pitcher for G Soto in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - M DeRosa (18, W Rodriguez). HR - A Pagan (4, 2nd inning off W
Rodriguez 1 on, 1 Out), D Lee (7, 2nd inning off W Rodriguez 2 on, 2 Out), R
Theriot (2, 4th inning off W Rodriguez 0 on, 0 Out). S - C Izturis. RBI - G
Soto (1), A Pagan 2 (15), D Lee 3 (47), R Theriot (26). 2-out RBI - D Lee 3.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M DeRosa 1, R Theriot 1. Team LOB -
6.

BASERUNNING: SB - D Lee (4, 2nd base off C Qualls/B Ausmus).

FIELDING: DP: 1 (J Marquis-R Theriot-D Lee).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 141 000 00 -- 6
CHICAGO CUBS - 060 100 00 -- 7
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Rodriguez 3 1/3 9 7 7 2 2 3 4.33
D Borkowski 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.31
M Albers 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 5.82
C Qualls 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 3.86

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Marquis 4 8 6 6 3 2 1 4.03
S Eyre 2/3 1 0 0 1 0 0 6.46
C Marmol 1 1/3 1 0 0 1 2 0 0.88
W Ohman 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.05
M Wuertz 1 1/3 0 0 0 1 2 0 3.64

C Marmol pitched to 1 batter in the 7th.

Pitches-strikes: W Rodriguez 77-48; D Borkowski 3-2; M Albers 29-19; C Qualls
32-22; J Marquis 82-49; S Eyre 19-12; C Marmol 26-14; W Ohman 10-6; M Wuertz
27-14. Ground balls-fly balls: W Rodriguez 4-4; D Borkowski 0-1; M Albers 3-1;
C Qualls 2-2; J Marquis 6-4; S Eyre 1-1; C Marmol 0-2; W Ohman 0-2; M Wuertz
1-1. Batters faced: W Rodriguez 21; D Borkowski 1; M Albers 7; C Qualls 8; J
Marquis 22; S Eyre 4; C Marmol 6; W Ohman 3; M Wuertz 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Tony Randazzo. 1B--Charlie Reliford. 2B--Greg Gibson. 3B--Larry
Vanover.

Weather: 72 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, in from right.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: K Hill catching.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 6
CHICAGO CUBS 7 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: E Bruntlett (.295, 0 HR, 4 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - PITCHING CHANGE
CHN: BOBBY HOWRY (5-4, 4.57) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: E BRUNTLETT (.295, 0 HR, 4 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL AT CHICAGO CUBS - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Howry relieved M Wuertz.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: HOUSTON 6
CHICAGO CUBS 7 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: E Bruntlett (.295, 0 HR, 4 RBI)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 1 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 11 1
CHICAGO CUBS 0 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 x 7 11 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: HOU - WANDY RODRIGUEZ, DAVE BORKOWSKI (4TH), MATT ALBERS (5TH), CHAD
QUALLS (7TH) AND BRAD AUSMUS

CHN - JASON MARQUIS, SCOTT EYRE (5TH), CARLOS MARMOL
(5TH), WILL OHMAN (7TH), MIKE WUERTZ (7TH), BOBBY HOWRY (9TH)
AND GEOVANY SOTO, KOYIE HILL (9TH)

HOME RUNS: HOU - MIKE LAMB (8) OFF JASON MARQUIS IN THE 3RD, 0 ON

CHN - ANGEL PAGAN (4) OFF WANDY RODRIGUEZ IN THE 2ND, 1 ON
DERREK LEE (7) OFF WANDY RODRIGUEZ IN THE 2ND, 2 ON
RYAN THERIOT (2) OFF WANDY RODRIGUEZ IN THE 4TH, 0 ON</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
HOUSTON 1 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 11 1
CHICAGO CUBS 0 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 x 7 11 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: HOU - WANDY RODRIGUEZ, DAVE BORKOWSKI (4TH), MATT ALBERS (5TH), CHAD
QUALLS (7TH) AND BRAD AUSMUS

CHN - JASON MARQUIS, SCOTT EYRE (5TH), CARLOS MARMOL
(5TH), WILL OHMAN (7TH), MIKE WUERTZ (7TH), BOBBY HOWRY (9TH)
AND GEOVANY SOTO, KOYIE HILL (9TH)


WP - MIKE WUERTZ (2-2)
LP - WANDY RODRIGUEZ (6-8)
SAVE - BOBBY HOWRY (5)

HOME RUNS: HOU - MIKE LAMB (8) OFF JASON MARQUIS IN THE 3RD, 0 ON

CHN - ANGEL PAGAN (4) OFF WANDY RODRIGUEZ IN THE 2ND, 1 ON
DERREK LEE (7) OFF WANDY RODRIGUEZ IN THE 2ND, 2 ON
RYAN THERIOT (2) OFF WANDY RODRIGUEZ IN THE 4TH, 0 ON


TIME: 3:02 ATT: 41,757

PROBABLES: SFO - TIM LINCECUM (4-2, 4.63)
CHN - RICH HILL (5-6, 3.81)

PROBABLES: HOU - WOODY WILLIAMS (4-10, 5.34)
WAS - MIKE BACSIK (2-6, 5.20)</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">HOUSTON (6) VS CHICAGO CUBS (7) - FINAL

HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Burke 2b 4 1 0 0 1 2 4 .229
H Pence cf 4 1 1 0 1 2 2 .334
L Berkman 1b 3 0 2 3 2 0 0 .261
C Lee lf 5 0 0 0 0 1 5 .292
M Loretta ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .315
E Bruntlett pr-ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .289
M Lamb 3b 5 2 3 1 0 1 0 .297
L Scott rf 4 1 1 1 1 0 0 .223
B Ausmus c 4 1 2 1 0 0 2 .253
W Rodriguez p 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .179
D Borkowski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-C Biggio ph 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .255
M Albers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
b-M Ensberg ph 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .221
C Qualls p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 36 6 11 6 6 7 16

a-struck out swinging for D Borkowski in the 5th; b-walked for M Albers in the
7th.

BATTING: 2B - H Pence (24, J Marquis); L Scott (15, J Marquis); L Berkman (10,
J Marquis). HR - M Lamb (8, 3rd inning off J Marquis 0 on, 1 Out). S - W
Rodriguez. RBI - L Berkman 3 (60), L Scott (39), B Ausmus (19), M Lamb (26).
2-out RBI - L Berkman 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Loretta 1,
C Biggio 1, C Lee 2, C Burke 2. GIDP - C Burke. Team LOB - 10.

BASERUNNING: SB - L Berkman (5, 2nd base off J Marquis/G Soto), H Pence (8,
2nd base off J Marquis/G Soto).

FIELDING: E - B Ausmus (3, throw). DP: 1 (D Borkowski-L Berkman).


CHICAGO CUBS ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Theriot ss-2b 5 2 2 1 0 1 1 .282
M Fontenot 2b 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .333
C Marmol p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000
W Ohman p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M Wuertz p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
K Hill c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .148
D Lee 1b 3 1 3 3 1 0 0 .335
A Ramirez 3b 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .313
A Soriano lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .308
M DeRosa rf 3 1 1 0 1 1 1 .297
G Soto c 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 .143
a-J Jones ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .232
B Howry p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
A Pagan cf 4 1 2 2 0 0 2 .275
J Marquis p 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 .171
S Eyre p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
C Izturis ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .246

Totals 33 7 11 7 3 6 11

a-grounded to pitcher for G Soto in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - M DeRosa (18, W Rodriguez). HR - A Pagan (4, 2nd inning off W
Rodriguez 1 on, 1 Out), D Lee (7, 2nd inning off W Rodriguez 2 on, 2 Out), R
Theriot (2, 4th inning off W Rodriguez 0 on, 0 Out). S - C Izturis. RBI - G
Soto (1), A Pagan 2 (15), D Lee 3 (47), R Theriot (26). 2-out RBI - D Lee 3.
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M DeRosa 1, R Theriot 1. Team LOB -
6.

BASERUNNING: SB - D Lee (4, 2nd base off C Qualls/B Ausmus).

FIELDING: DP: 1 (J Marquis-R Theriot-D Lee).


----------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON - 141 000 000 -- 6
CHICAGO CUBS - 060 100 00x -- 7
----------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
W Rodriguez (L, 6-8) 3 1/3 9 7 7 2 2 3 4.33
D Borkowski 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.31
M Albers 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 5.82
C Qualls 2 2 0 0 0 2 0 3.86

CHICAGO CUBS ip h r er bb so hr era
J Marquis 4 8 6 6 3 2 1 4.03
S Eyre 2/3 1 0 0 1 0 0 6.46
C Marmol 1 1/3 1 0 0 1 2 0 0.88
W Ohman (H, 13) 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.05
M Wuertz (W, 2-2) 1 1/3 0 0 0 1 2 0 3.64
B Howry (S, 5) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.47

C Marmol pitched to 1 batter in the 7th.

Pitches-strikes: W Rodriguez 77-48; D Borkowski 3-2; M Albers 29-19; C Qualls
32-22; J Marquis 82-49; S Eyre 19-12; C Marmol 26-14; W Ohman 10-6; M Wuertz
27-14; B Howry 11-8. Ground balls-fly balls: W Rodriguez 4-4; D Borkowski 0-1;
M Albers 3-1; C Qualls 2-2; J Marquis 6-4; S Eyre 1-1; C Marmol 0-2; W Ohman
0-2; M Wuertz 1-1; B Howry 0-2. Batters faced: W Rodriguez 21; D Borkowski 1; M
Albers 7; C Qualls 8; J Marquis 22; S Eyre 4; C Marmol 6; W Ohman 3; M Wuertz
5; B Howry 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Tony Randazzo. 1B--Charlie Reliford. 2B--Greg Gibson. 3B--Larry
Vanover.

T--3:02. Att--41,757.
Weather: 72 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, in
from right.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
HOUSTON 6
CHICAGO CUBS 7 FINAL</div>

 

Home runs by Theriot, Lee rally Cubs past Astros

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 7, HOUSTON 6</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs are playing their bestbaseball of the season.


Ryan Theriot and Derrek Lee each providing key home runs as theCubs rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat the HoustonAstros, 7-6, on Sunday.


Angel Pagan added a two-run homer for the Cubs, who have wonthree straight games and 15 of their last 19. The team alsocompleted a rare three-game sweep against the Astros at WrigleyField, something Chicago hadn't done since May 18-20, 1984.

Righthander Michael Wuertz (2-2) pitched 1 1/3 innings ofscoreless relief to earn the victory and Bob Howry tossed aperfect ninth for his fifth save of the season.


After falling behind, 5-0, Lee gave the Cubs a 6-5 lead with athree-run homer to cap a six-run second. Houston tied the gameon a homer by Mike Lamb in the third, but Theriot put Chicagoahead for good with a solo shot in the fourth.


The Astros built their early lead behind Lance Berkman's RBIsingle in the first and his two-run double in the second. LukeScott and Brad Ausmus also provided RBI hits off starter JasonMarquis during the outburst.


Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez (6-8), who is 0-3 and hasallowed 16 runs in 13 innings in three career starts here, gaveup the cushion in the bottom of the second.


Mark DeRosa began the onslaught with a one-out double and scoredmoments later on a single by Geovany Soto. Pagan followed withhis fourth home run of the season and cut the deficit to 5-3.

Following back-to-back singles by Marquis and Theriot, Rodriguezgot Mike Fontenot to ground out for the second out of theinning before giving up the three-run blast to Lee.

Once a feared power hitter, Lee's seventh homer of the year washis first since June 3.


After Lamb connected for his eighth longball of the year to tiethe game, Houston had a chance to go ahead in the fourth whenHunter Pence moved into scoring position with a two-out steal ofsecond base.


However, Carlos Lee's sharp liner down the third base line wassnared by third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who made a diving catch.

Theriot's second home run of the season - and first since May 29- restored the Cubs' one-run lead in the bottom of the frame.

All 13 runs in the game were allowed by the starters. Rodriguezallowed seven runs, nine hits and two walks while striking outtwo in 3 1/3 innings.


Marquis departed after four innings having allowed six runs,eight hits and three walks while striking out two.

The Astros loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, butWuertz got Chris Burke to wave at a 3-2 pitch for the final outof the inning.


Ramirez also did his part to preserve the lead during thethreat, making another stellar grab on a liner by Ausmus for thesecond out. Lamb finished with three hits for Houston, whichhas lost three straight.

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSTON (6) AT CHICAGO CUBS (7) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HOUSTON 1ST: C Burke struck out looking. H Pence doubled to deep left.
L Berkman singled to center, H Pence scored. C Lee struck out swinging.
L Berkman stole second. M Loretta grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

HOUSTON 2ND: M Lamb singled to right. L Scott doubled to deep right
center, M Lamb scored. B Ausmus singled to center, L Scott scored.
W Rodriguez sacrificed to first, B Ausmus to second. C Burke walked. H Pence
flied out to right. L Berkman doubled to deep right center, B Ausmus and
C Burke scored. C Lee lined out to shortstop. (4 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 5, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: A Soriano popped out to shortstop. M DeRosa doubled to
deep left. G Soto singled to center, M DeRosa scored. A Pagan homered to
left, G Soto scored. J Marquis singled to left. R Theriot singled to left,
J Marquis to second. M Fontenot grounded out to pitcher, J Marquis to third,
R Theriot to second. D Lee homered to left, J Marquis and R Theriot scored.
A Ramirez reached on infield single to shortstop. A Soriano flied out to right.
(6 Runs, 7 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 5, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

HOUSTON 3RD: M Loretta flied out to right. M Lamb homered to right.
L Scott grounded out to pitcher. B Ausmus grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: R Theriot homered to left center. M Fontenot grounded
out to first. D Lee walked. D Borkowski relieved W Rodriguez. A Ramirez lined
into double play, pitcher to first, D Lee out at first.(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSTON (6) AT CHICAGO CUBS (7) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Burke 2B, H Pence CF, L Berkman 1B, C Lee LF,
M Loretta SS, M Lamb 3B, L Scott RF, B Ausmus C, W Rodriguez LHP.

Chicago Cubs Starting Lineups -- R Theriot SS, M Fontenot 2B, D Lee 1B,
A Ramirez 3B, A Soriano LF, M DeRosa RF, G Soto C, A Pagan CF, J Marquis RHP.

Umpires -- Tony Randazzo (HP), Charlie Reliford (1B), Greg Gibson (2B),
Larry Vanover (3B).

Gametime Weather: 72 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind in from right at 6 mph.


HOUSTON 1ST: C Burke struck out looking. H Pence doubled to deep left.
L Berkman singled to center, H Pence scored. C Lee struck out swinging.
L Berkman stole second. M Loretta grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: R Theriot popped out to second. M Fontenot struck out
looking. D Lee reached on infield single to shortstop. A Ramirez grounded out
to catcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

HOUSTON 2ND: M Lamb singled to right. L Scott doubled to deep right
center, M Lamb scored. B Ausmus singled to center, L Scott scored.
W Rodriguez sacrificed to first, B Ausmus to second. C Burke walked. H Pence
flied out to right. L Berkman doubled to deep right center, B Ausmus and
C Burke scored. C Lee lined out to shortstop. (4 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 5, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: A Soriano popped out to shortstop. M DeRosa doubled to
deep left. G Soto singled to center, M DeRosa scored. A Pagan homered to
left, G Soto scored. J Marquis singled to left. R Theriot singled to left,
J Marquis to second. M Fontenot grounded out to pitcher, J Marquis to third,
R Theriot to second. D Lee homered to left, J Marquis and R Theriot scored.
A Ramirez reached on infield single to shortstop. A Soriano flied out to right.
(6 Runs, 7 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 5, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

HOUSTON 3RD: M Loretta flied out to right. M Lamb homered to right.
L Scott grounded out to pitcher. B Ausmus grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: M DeRosa walked. G Soto struck out looking. A Pagan
flied out to center. J Marquis grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

HOUSTON 4TH: W Rodriguez singled to right. C Burke grounded into double
play, pitcher to shortstop to first, W Rodriguez out at second. H Pence walked.
H Pence stole second. L Berkman walked. C Lee lined out to third. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: R Theriot homered to left center. M Fontenot grounded
out to first. D Lee walked. D Borkowski relieved W Rodriguez. A Ramirez lined
into double play, pitcher to first, D Lee out at first.(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

HOUSTON 5TH: S Eyre relieved J Marquis. M Loretta grounded out to third.
M Lamb popped out to second. L Scott walked. B Ausmus reached on infield single
to shortstop, L Scott to second. C Biggio hit for D Borkowski. R Theriot at
second base. C Marmol relieved S Eyre. C Izturis at shortstop. C Biggio struck
out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: M Albers relieved D Borkowski. A Soriano grounded out to
pitcher. M DeRosa flied out to center. G Soto walked. A Pagan grounded out
to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

HOUSTON 6TH: C Burke fouled out to shortstop. H Pence struck out swinging.
L Berkman walked. C Lee flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: C Izturis grounded out to second. R Theriot struck out
looking. C Marmol struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6,
CHICAGO CUBS 7.

HOUSTON 7TH: M Loretta singled to right center. W Ohman relieved C Marmol.
M Lamb singled to right, M Loretta to second. L Scott flied out to right,
M Loretta to third, M Lamb to second. E Bruntlett ran for M Loretta. B Ausmus
lined out to third. M Ensberg hit for M Albers. M Wuertz relieved W Ohman.
M Ensberg walked. C Burke struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: E Bruntlett at shortstop. C Qualls relieved M Albers.
D Lee singled to left. A Ramirez flied out to right. A Soriano struck out
swinging. D Lee stole second, D Lee safe at third on throwing error by catcher
B Ausmus. M DeRosa struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) HOUSTON 6,
CHICAGO CUBS 7.

HOUSTON 8TH: H Pence struck out swinging. L Berkman popped out to second.
C Lee grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6,
CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: J Jones hit for G Soto. J Jones grounded out to pitcher.
A Pagan singled to center. C Izturis sacrificed to catcher, A Pagan to second.
R Theriot lined out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6,
CHICAGO CUBS 7.

HOUSTON 9TH: K Hill catching. B Howry relieved M Wuertz. E Bruntlett flied
out to right. M Lamb struck out swinging. L Scott flied out to left. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSTON (6) AT CHICAGO CUBS (7) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HOUSTON 1ST: C Burke struck out looking. H Pence doubled to deep left.
L Berkman singled to center, H Pence scored. C Lee struck out swinging.
L Berkman stole second. M Loretta grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

HOUSTON 2ND: M Lamb singled to right. L Scott doubled to deep right
center, M Lamb scored. B Ausmus singled to center, L Scott scored.
W Rodriguez sacrificed to first, B Ausmus to second. C Burke walked. H Pence
flied out to right. L Berkman doubled to deep right center, B Ausmus and
C Burke scored. C Lee lined out to shortstop. (4 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 5, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: A Soriano popped out to shortstop. M DeRosa doubled to
deep left. G Soto singled to center, M DeRosa scored. A Pagan homered to
left, G Soto scored. J Marquis singled to left. R Theriot singled to left,
J Marquis to second. M Fontenot grounded out to pitcher, J Marquis to third,
R Theriot to second. D Lee homered to left, J Marquis and R Theriot scored.
A Ramirez reached on infield single to shortstop. A Soriano flied out to right.
(6 Runs, 7 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 5, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

HOUSTON 3RD: M Loretta flied out to right. M Lamb homered to right.
L Scott grounded out to catcher. B Ausmus grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: R Theriot homered to left center. M Fontenot grounded
out to first. D Lee walked. D Borkowski relieved W Rodriguez. A Ramirez lined
into double play, pitcher to first, D Lee out at first.(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.</div>

 

NL: HOUSTON at CHICAGO CUBS

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOUSTON (6) AT CHICAGO CUBS (7) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Burke 2B, H Pence CF, L Berkman 1B, C Lee LF,
M Loretta SS, M Lamb 3B, L Scott RF, B Ausmus C, W Rodriguez LHP.

Chicago Cubs Starting Lineups -- R Theriot SS, M Fontenot 2B, D Lee 1B,
A Ramirez 3B, A Soriano LF, M DeRosa RF, G Soto C, A Pagan CF, J Marquis RHP.

Umpires -- Tony Randazzo (HP), Charlie Reliford (1B), Greg Gibson (2B),
Larry Vanover (3B).

Gametime Weather: 72 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind in from right at 6 mph.


HOUSTON 1ST: C Burke struck out looking. H Pence doubled to deep left.
L Berkman singled to center, H Pence scored. C Lee struck out swinging.
L Berkman stole second. M Loretta grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 1ST: R Theriot popped out to second. M Fontenot struck out
looking. D Lee reached on infield single to shortstop. A Ramirez grounded out
to catcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 1, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

HOUSTON 2ND: M Lamb singled to right. L Scott doubled to deep right
center, M Lamb scored. B Ausmus singled to center, L Scott scored.
W Rodriguez sacrificed to first, B Ausmus to second. C Burke walked. H Pence
flied out to right. L Berkman doubled to deep right center, B Ausmus and
C Burke scored. C Lee lined out to shortstop. (4 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 5, CHICAGO CUBS 0.

CHICAGO CUBS 2ND: A Soriano popped out to shortstop. M DeRosa doubled to
deep left. G Soto singled to center, M DeRosa scored. A Pagan homered to
left, G Soto scored. J Marquis singled to left. R Theriot singled to left,
J Marquis to second. M Fontenot grounded out to pitcher, J Marquis to third,
R Theriot to second. D Lee homered to left, J Marquis and R Theriot scored.
A Ramirez reached on infield single to shortstop. A Soriano flied out to right.
(6 Runs, 7 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 5, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

HOUSTON 3RD: M Loretta flied out to right. M Lamb homered to right.
L Scott grounded out to catcher. B Ausmus grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

CHICAGO CUBS 3RD: M DeRosa walked. G Soto struck out looking. A Pagan
flied out to center. J Marquis grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

HOUSTON 4TH: W Rodriguez singled to right. C Burke grounded into double
play, pitcher to shortstop to first, W Rodriguez out at second. H Pence walked.
H Pence stole second. L Berkman walked. C Lee lined out to third. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 6.

CHICAGO CUBS 4TH: R Theriot homered to left center. M Fontenot grounded
out to first. D Lee walked. D Borkowski relieved W Rodriguez. A Ramirez lined
into double play, pitcher to first, D Lee out at first.(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

HOUSTON 5TH: S Eyre relieved J Marquis. M Loretta grounded out to third.
M Lamb popped out to second. L Scott walked. B Ausmus reached on infield single
to shortstop, L Scott to second. C Biggio hit for D Borkowski. R Theriot at
second base. C Marmol relieved S Eyre. C Izturis at shortstop. C Biggio struck
out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 5TH: M Albers relieved D Borkowski. A Soriano grounded out to
pitcher. M DeRosa flied out to center. G Soto walked. A Pagan grounded out
to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

HOUSTON 6TH: C Burke fouled out to shortstop. H Pence struck out swinging.
L Berkman walked. C Lee flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 6TH: C Izturis grounded out to second. R Theriot struck out
looking. C Marmol struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6,
CHICAGO CUBS 7.

HOUSTON 7TH: M Loretta singled to right center. W Ohman relieved C Marmol.
M Lamb singled to right, M Loretta to second. L Scott flied out to right,
M Loretta to third, M Lamb to second. E Bruntlett ran for M Loretta. B Ausmus
lined out to third. M Ensberg hit for M Albers. M Wuertz relieved W Ohman.
M Ensberg walked. C Burke struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 7TH: E Bruntlett at shortstop. C Qualls relieved M Albers.
D Lee singled to left. A Ramirez flied out to right. A Soriano struck out
swinging. D Lee stole second. D Lee safe at third on throwing error by catcher
B Ausmus. M DeRosa struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) HOUSTON 6,
CHICAGO CUBS 7.

HOUSTON 8TH: H Pence struck out swinging. L Berkman popped out to second.
C Lee grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6,
CHICAGO CUBS 7.

CHICAGO CUBS 8TH: J Jones hit for G Soto. J Jones grounded out to pitcher.
A Pagan singled to center. C Izturis sacrificed to catcher, A Pagan to second.
R Theriot lined out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6,
CHICAGO CUBS 7.

HOUSTON 9TH: K Hill catching. B Howry relieved M Wuertz. E Bruntlett flied
out to right. M Lamb struck out swinging. L Scott flied out to left. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) HOUSTON 6, CHICAGO CUBS 7.</div>

 

Home runs by Theriot, Lee rally Cubs past Astros

<h3>CHICAGO CUBS 7, HOUSTON 6</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs are playing their bestbaseball of the season.


Ryan Theriot and Derrek Lee each providing key home runs as theCubs rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat the HoustonAstros, 7-6, on Sunday.


Angel Pagan added a two-run homer for the Cubs, who have wonthree straight games and 15 of their last 19. The team alsocompleted a rare three-game sweep against the Astros at WrigleyField, something Chicago hadn't done since May 18-20, 1984.

"The club is gaining confidence, that's the important thing,"Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "These kids fought right backfrom a 5-0 deficit. On top of that, our bullpen was stellar."

Righthander Michael Wuertz (2-2) pitched 1 1/3 innings ofscoreless relief to earn the victory and Bob Howry tossed aperfect ninth for his fifth save of the season.


"It was one of those weird days at Wrigley," Wuertz said."Everybody pieced it together and we're able to come away with aW."


After falling behind, 5-0, Lee gave the Cubs a 6-5 lead with athree-run homer to cap a six-run second. Houston tied the gameon a homer by Mike Lamb in the third, but Theriot put Chicagoahead for good with a solo shot in the fourth.


"I'm never thinking home run," Theriot said. "But I did put agood swing on it and it went out."


The Astros built their early lead behind Lance Berkman's RBIsingle in the first and his two-run double in the second. LukeScott and Brad Ausmus also provided RBI hits off starter JasonMarquis during the outburst.


"We swung the bats much better today," Astros manager PhilGarner said. "We hit a lot of balls hard. Unfortunately forus, a lot of them were caught. A loss is a loss, but we didswing the bats better today."


Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez (6-8), who is 0-3 and hasallowed 16 runs in 13 innings in three career starts here, gaveup the cushion in the bottom of the second.


Mark DeRosa began the onslaught with a one-out double and scoredmoments later on a single by Geovany Soto. Pagan followed withhis fourth home run of the season and cut the deficit to 5-3.

Following back-to-back singles by Marquis and Theriot, Rodriguezgot Mike Fontenot to ground out for the second out of theinning before giving up the three-run blast to Lee.

Once a feared power hitter, Lee's seventh homer of the year washis first since June 3.


"I really haven't hit anything in the air for a long time," Leesaid. "It was just nice to hit one up in the air and actuallyget a home run out of it. The reason it worked was that a homerun was the last thing on my mind there."


After Lamb connected for his eighth longball of the year to tiethe game, Houston had a chance to go ahead in the fourth whenHunter Pence moved into scoring position with a two-out steal ofsecond base.


However, Carlos Lee's sharp liner down the third base line wassnared by third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who made a diving catch.

"That's one of the reasons why we've gone on this streak,"Ramirez said. "We're making all the plays we're supposed toand, once in awhile, a great play."


Theriot's second home run of the season - and first since May 29- restored the Cubs' one-run lead in the bottom of the frame.

All 13 runs in the game were allowed by the starters. Rodriguezallowed seven runs, nine hits and two walks while striking outtwo in 3 1/3 innings.


"I don't think Wandy even felt right in the bullpen warming up,"said Ausmus, the Astros' catcher. "They did find some holeswith some base hits, but the real damage was the balls he gaveup that found the bleachers."


Marquis departed after four innings having allowed six runs,eight hits and three walks while striking out two.

The Astros loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, butWuertz got Chris Burke to wave at a 3-2 pitch for the final outof the inning.


Ramirez also did his part to preserve the lead during thethreat, making another stellar grab on a liner by Ausmus for thesecond out. Lamb finished with three hits for Houston, whichhas lost three straight.


"We couldn't seem to get the clutch hit after the first threeinnings," Lamb said. "The ball I hit out somehow cut throughthe wind."