Make that seven straight losses for the Chicago Cubs. On Monday night against the hapless Houston Astros, Cubs starter Matt Garza allowed seven earned runs in three innings as the Astros cruised to an 8-3 victory at Minute Maid Park. The loss drops Chicago to 15-27, while Houston improves to 19-23.
Houston starter Bud Norris went seven innings, striking out eight while allowing five hits and no earned runs.
The Astros scored three in the third and four in the fourth to build the early lead. Catcher Jason Castro hit a three-run homer in the second for Houston. Third baseman Chris Johnson broke the game open with a three-run homer to center in the third.
The Cubs did all of their scoring in the ninth. Reed Johnson, David DeJesus and Blake Lalli each had RBI singles for the North Siders in the inning.
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