If the Chicago Cubs want to avoid their ninth straight loss on Tuesday against the Houston Astros, they'll have some work to do. As the game at Minute Maid Park heads into the sixth inning, Chicago trails the Astros 2-1.This is the final game of a three-game series between the teams.

The Cubs got on the board early when center fielder Reed Johnson hit a solo home run, his second of the year, as the game's second batter. Scoring would remain quiet until the forth inning when Houston's J.D. Martinez tripled to right to score Carlos Lee and Chris Johnson.

Starter Jeff Samardzija has allowed four hits and two earned runs while striking out four through five innings for the Cubs so far. He remains in the game.

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