Jason Michaels hit a two-run double in the top of the 12th inning and came around to score what proved to be the winning run on Angel Sanchez’s single as the Houston Astros held on for a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday afternoon.
With the game tied 1-1 in the 12th, the Astros got their first two batters on base with singles from Jeff Keppinger and Chris Johnson. Jason Castro tried to lay down a sacrifice bunt but the Cubs managed to get Keppinger out at third, before Michael Bourn moved the runners to second and third with a groundout.
That brought up Michaels with two away and he came through with a double, followed by Sanchez’s single.
The Astros would need the cushion after the Cubs pulled to within a run in the bottom half when Geovany Soto belted a two-run home run off Gustavo Chacin, who recorded the final out for his first save.
Astros closer Brandon Lyon (6-4) earned the victory by pitching two scoreless innings.
Pedro Feliz hit a solo homer and Sanchez had three hits for Houston, which took two of three in the series.
Bob Howry (1-3) took the loss in relief of Ted Lilly, who went 7 1/3 innings and allowed a run on seven hits.
Houston | Chi. Cubs | |
Brett Myers | Player | Ted Lilly |
No Decision | W/L | No Decision |
7.0 | IP | 7.1 |
8 | Strikeouts | 6 |
5 | Hits | 7 |
1.29 | ERA | 1.23 |
Houston | Chi. Cubs | |
Angel Sanchez | Player | Ryan Theriot |
3 | Hits | 3 |
1 | RBI | 0 |
0 | HR | 0 |
3 | TB | 3 |
.500 | Avg | .500 |