Lance Berkman had three hits and drove in two runs and Felipe Paulino allowed one run over eight innings to earn his first win of the season in leading the Houston Astros to a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday.

Paulino (1-7) had been the victim of poor run support all season and the Astros didn't give him much Friday, but he made it stand up. He allowed the run on five hits and struck out seven.

Matt Lindstrom pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save in 15 opportunities.

The Astros grabbed an early lead when Berkman singled home Michael Bourn, who went 3-for-4 and scored two runs from the leadoff spot. They added two more in the fifth when Jeff Keppinger's RBI single chased starter Carlos Zambrano and Berkman greeted reliever Tom Gorzelanny with an RBI double.

Zambrano (1-4) lasted only 4 1/3 innings in his return to the starting rotation, giving up three runs on six hits while walking three and striking out three.

Marlon Byrd had two doubles and drove in the lone run for the Cubs, who have lost four in a row and have scored only five runs during that span.