The Chicago Cubs knocked off the Houston Astros Monday, winning 4-1.
Chris Volstad (3-10, 5.99 ERA) picked up the win for the Cubs by allowing one run over five solid innings. Volstad struck out four and has now won three of his last four starts after beginning the season 0-9.
Dave Sappelt, playing in just his eighth Major League game this season, was the offensive hero for the Cubs. Sappelt went 2-5 in the game with 3 RBI and a run scored. He got the scoring started in the top of the second with a run-scoring double. After Houston tied the game in the fourth inning, Sappelt scored on a wild pitch in the sixth to break the tie. An inning later, he hit his second double of the game, driving in Starlin Castro and Welington Castillo.
Sappelt was one of four Cubs with two hits as Joe Mather, Darwin Barney and Castro also finished with two hits. Carlos Marmol pitched a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his 19th save of the season.
The teams will continue their series Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET.
For more coverage of this series, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, check out Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue and Astros blog Crawfish Boxes. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to Baseball Nation.