In a battle between the two worst teams in baseball Friday, the Cubs (40-60) found a way to get past the Houston Astros (33-66) 4-2. Things started slowly for the Cubs as Houston jumped out to a 2-0 lead after four innings thanks to solo tallies in the second and fourth innings. The Cubs would fight back though and score four times in the fifth inning thanks to homeruns by Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez. Neither team would score again, and the Cubs held on for the victory.
Carlos Zambrano struggled early but was able to pitch out of jams and keep his team in the game. Houston loaded the bases in both the second and third innings with no outs, but were only able to score one run. Zambrano went six innings and allowed two runs on nine hits. The Cubs righty improved to 7-5 on the season. Sean Marshall pitched a perfect ninth to earn his third save on the season.
Bud Norris took the loss for Houston. Norris pitched well with the exception of the fifth inning when the Cubs scored four times. The Astros righty went six and a third innings and allowed four runs on nine hits. Norris fell to 5-7 on the season.
The Cubs and Astros will face off again on Saturday at 12:05 CST.