Chris Johnson and Jason Castro each had a home run and three RBIs and the Houston Astros pounded out 17 hits en route to an 11-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Monday.

Houston scored five runs in the first, highlighted by a two-run single from Hunter Pence and a two-run double from Carlos Lee. Castro extended the Astros' lead to 8-0 with a three-run home run in the third.

Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez (7-11) went six innings, allowing five runs on eight hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

Angel Sanchez had three hits and Michael Bourn had a pair of base knocks as the Astros snapped a two-game skid.

Chicago scored single runs in the third and fourth and then scored three more in the sixth with home runs from Tyler Colvin and Aramis Ramirez to make it 8-5.

But the Astros’ lead was never in doubt as Johnson cushioned it with a solo home run in the seventh and an RBI triple in the eighth.

Chicago starter Carlos Silva (9-4) struggled from the start, lasting only one inning. He gave up five runs on seven hits with two walks and no strikeouts.