Geoff Blum doubled in the tying run in the ninth inning and Pedro Feliz drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the 10th as the Houston Astros came from behind to earn a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.
Hunter Pence singled and stole second with one out in the ninth before coming in to score on Blum’s RBI double. Pinch hitter Jason Michaels led off the 10th with a double for Houston and moved to third on Michael Bourn’s sacrifice bunt before scoring on Feliz’s fly off Sean Marshall (0-1).
Relief pitcher Tim Byrdak (1-0) picked up the win and Matt Lindstrom tallied his second save of the season.
Ryan Dempster struck out eight while surrendering just four hits and two walks through 7 2/3 for the Cubs. The veteran right-hander allowed a single and walked a batter in the eighth before being replaced by closer Carlos Marmol, who gave up an RBI single to Jeff Keppinger but struck out Pedro Feliz looking to end the threat.
Wandy Rodriguez was almost as impressive as Dempster, allowing two runs and six hits while striking out three in seven innings in the no-decision.
Marlon Byrd had three hits and drove in a pair for the Cubs.
Houston | Chi. Cubs | |
Wandy Rodriguez | Player | Ryan Dempster |
No Decision | W/L | No Decision |
7.0 | IP | 7.2 |
3 | Strikeouts | 8 |
6 | Hits | 4 |
2.57 | ERA | 1.17 |
Houston | Chi. Cubs | |
Geoff Blum | Player | Marlon Byrd |
2 | Hits | 3 |
1 | RBI | 2 |
0 | HR | 0 |
3 | TB | 4 |
.500 | Avg | .600 |