Walker Powers Late Surge as Astros Defeat Cubs

Christian Walker of the Astros celebrating with his teammates after hitting a homer against the Cubs

Photo by Griffin Quinn/Getty Images

May 24, 2026

Astros 8, Cubs 5

The Houston Astros defeated the Chicago Cubs, 8–5 , on Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field, using a six‑run fifth inning to erase an early deficit. Christian Walker delivered the decisive swing with a three‑run home run into left‑center field, and Astros pitching held the lead the rest of the way.

Jake Meyers opened the scoring with a solo home run in the second inning. Nick Allen added a solo shot in the third and later drove in a run with a ninth‑inning single. Jeremy Peña contributed a two‑run single during the fifth‑inning rally that put the Astros ahead for good.

Astros – Cubs Game Summary

The Cubs took a 3–1 lead in the second inning on Pedro Ramírez’s first major league hit, an RBI double. Pete Crow‑Armstrong added a sacrifice fly, and Nico Hoerner lined an RBI single to right.

Allen’s third‑inning home run cut the deficit to one. Astros starter Peter Lambert settled in after the rough second inning, retiring eight of the next nine hitters and keeping the Cubs from adding on.

The Astros broke through in the fifth against Cubs left‑hander Shota Imanaga. Cam Smith doubled, Zach Dezenzo walked, and Allen was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Peña lined a two‑run single to center to give the Astros a 4–3 lead. Walker followed by driving a three‑run home run into left‑center, extending the lead to 7–3.

Crow‑Armstrong walked in the seventh ahead of Michael Busch’s two‑run home run, trimming the lead to 7–5. The Astros relief corps prevented further scoring. Bryan Abreu stranded two runners in the eighth, helped by an inning‑ending double play started by Peña.

Allen’s RBI single in the ninth added insurance. Nate Pearson tossed the bottom of the ninth and secured the win despite a two‑out walk that brought the tying run to the on‑deck circle.

What Went Right for the Astros

Fifth‑Inning Surge

The Astros scored six runs in the fifth, highlighted by Peña’s two‑run single and Walker’s three‑run home run.

Lambert’s Mid‑Game Adjustment

After allowing three runs in the second, Lambert retired 11 of the next 13 hitters and completed five innings with five strikeouts.

Allen’s All‑Around Impact

Allen homered, added an RBI single, and played multiple infield positions late in the game.

What Went Wrong for the Astros

Early Trouble

Lambert allowed three runs in the second inning as the Cubs put three straight hitters on base.

Missed Fourth‑Inning Chance

Meyers was picked off first base, ending a potential scoring opportunity.

Early Strikeouts against Imanaga

The Astros struggled to make contact through the first four innings before breaking through in the fifth.

What’s Next

The Astros will continue their road trip Monday evening against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Right-hander Tatsuya Imai (1–2, 8.31 ERA) will take the hill for the Astros against Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker (2–4, 3.60 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm Central.