As much as Sunday was a day of first’s, first sweep and first three-game winning streak in 2011, it wasn’t for Matt Garza. The bullpen once again blew a lead for Matt Garza and he didn’t figure in on the decision. Luckily this time though, the Cubs (42-60) did battle back and win the game in 10 innings 5-4.
Houston (33-68) got off to a quick lead Sunday when Clint Barmes homered in the first inning to give the Astros a 1-0 lead. The Cubs would come back with three in the second to take a 3-1 lead. The Astros got one more in the fifth to trim the lead to 3-2. Garza would once again turn the game over to the bullpen to hopefully protect the lead. They didn’t. Carlos Lee hit a two-run homer to give the Astros the lead 4-3 in the eighth. The Cubs bounced back and tied things up in the bottom of the eighth and went on to win in extra innings on a single by Jeff Baker.
Matt Garza continued his awesome July on Sunday. Garza went seven innings and allowed two runs on five hits to go along with nine strikeouts. John Gabrow earned the win to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Rookie Jordan Lyles pitched well for Houston. Lyles went six innings and allowed three runs on nine hits. The Astros rookie is still looking for his first major league victory. David Carpenter was roughed up in the 10th inning and took the loss dropping his record to 0-1 on the season.
The Cubs will look to extend their winning streak when they start a series in Milwaukee on Tuesday evening.