The Houston Astros<\/a> defeated the Chicago Cubs<\/a>, 8\u20135 , on Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field<\/span>, using a six\u2011run fifth inning to erase an early deficit. Christian Walker<\/a><\/strong> delivered the decisive swing with a three\u2011run home run into left\u2011center field, and Astros pitching held the lead the rest of the way.<\/p>\n Jake Meyers<\/a><\/strong> opened the scoring with a solo home run in the second inning. Nick Allen<\/a><\/strong> added a solo shot in the third and later drove in a run with a ninth\u2011inning single. Jeremy Pe\u00f1a<\/a><\/strong> contributed a two\u2011run single during the fifth\u2011inning rally that put the Astros ahead for good.<\/p>\n The Cubs took a 3\u20131 lead in the second inning on Pedro Ram\u00edrez<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s first major league hit, an RBI double. Pete Crow\u2011Armstrong added a sacrifice fly, and Nico Hoerner<\/a><\/strong> lined an RBI single to right.<\/p>\n Allen\u2019s third\u2011inning home run cut the deficit to one. Astros starter Peter Lambert<\/a><\/strong> settled in after the rough second inning, retiring eight of the next nine hitters and keeping the Cubs from adding on.<\/p>\n The Astros broke through in the fifth against Cubs left\u2011hander Shota Imanaga<\/a><\/strong>. Cam Smith<\/a><\/strong> doubled, Zach Dezenzo<\/a><\/strong> walked, and Allen was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Pe\u00f1a lined a two\u2011run single to center to give the Astros a 4\u20133 lead. Walker followed by driving a three\u2011run home run into left\u2011center, extending the lead to 7\u20133.<\/p>\n Crow\u2011Armstrong walked in the seventh ahead of Michael Busch<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s two\u2011run home run, trimming the lead to 7\u20135. The Astros relief corps prevented further scoring. Bryan Abreu<\/a><\/strong> stranded two runners in the eighth, helped by an inning\u2011ending double play started by Pe\u00f1a.<\/p>\n Allen\u2019s RBI single in the ninth added insurance. Nate Pearson<\/a><\/strong> tossed the bottom of the ninth and secured the win despite a two\u2011out walk that brought the tying run to the on\u2011deck circle.<\/p>\n The Astros scored six runs in the fifth, highlighted by Pe\u00f1a\u2019s two\u2011run single and Walker\u2019s three\u2011run home run.<\/span><\/p>\n After allowing three runs in the second, Lambert retired 11 of the next 13 hitters and completed five innings with five strikeouts.<\/p>\n Allen homered, added an RBI single, and played multiple infield positions late in the game.<\/p>\n Lambert allowed three runs in the second inning as the Cubs put three straight hitters on base.<\/p>\n Meyers was picked off first base, ending a potential scoring opportunity.<\/p>\n The Astros struggled to make contact through the first four innings before breaking through in the fifth.<\/span><\/p>\n The Astros will continue their road trip Monday evening against the Texas Rangers<\/a> at Globe Life Field. Right-hander Tatsuya Imai<\/a><\/strong> (1\u20132, 8.31 ERA) will take the hill for the Astros against Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker<\/a><\/strong> (2\u20134, 3.60 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm Central.<\/span><\/p>\nAstros \u2013 Cubs Game Summary<\/b><\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Astros<\/b><\/h3>\n
Fifth\u2011Inning Surge<\/h4>\n
Lambert\u2019s Mid\u2011Game Adjustment<\/h4>\n
Allen\u2019s All\u2011Around Impact<\/strong><\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for the Astros<\/b><\/h3>\n
Early Trouble<\/h4>\n
Missed Fourth\u2011Inning Chance<\/h4>\n
Early Strikeouts against Imanaga<\/b><\/h4>\n
What\u2019s Next<\/b><\/h3>\n
Main Picture:<\/h4>\n