Series Recap: Chicago Cubs @ Houston Astros

The Cubbies wrapped up an 8 game road trip in Houston today. They split the trip, 4-4, playing 6 one run games. They lost 4 of those 6 games, all in walkoff fashion. They played 5 extra inning ball games, losing 3 of those.

The starting pitching was tremendous all trip long, particularly in the Houston series. Ted Lilly, Carlos Zambrano, and Ryan Dempster pitched a combined 21 2/3 innings, giving up only 2 runs.

The offense, on the other hand, was not so good. They managed to put together some offense in game 1 against Brian Moehler. After that, it was tough sledding against Wandy Rodriguez and Russ Ortiz, as the offense mustered only 2 runs.

Let’s take a quick look at what happened in each game:

Game 1: Cubs 7 Astros 1

Finally, a comfortable blowout win for the Cubs. Ted Lilly continued hsi stellar pitching, picking up a win after throwing 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Aaron Heilman and Sean Marshall wrapped things up, but Marshall was unable to preserve the shutout, allowing a Lance Berkman homer.

Offensively, it was a solid effort on the part of the Cubs. 5 batters had multi-hit games, with Mike Fontenot (4-5, HR) and Geovany Soto (3-5) leading the way. However, the Cub who has had probably the most disappointing season, Milton Bradley, had an even worse game than usual. He was 0-6 with 3 strikeouts. Milton is going to have to get hot or else the Cubs lineup is going to realize the potential we all thought it had.

Game 2: Astros 2 Cubs 1

Behind Carlos Zambrano, who appears to have found his form, the Cubs led all the way…at least up until the bottom of the 7th. Zambrano was tremendous all game, allowing only 5 baserunners on 3 hits and 2 walks over 8 innings, but the paltry lead Geovany Soto gave the Cubs with a solo jack in the 2nd went to waste when Geoff Blum knocked in Hunter Pence with an RBI groundout.

Pence had reached on a walk that Carlos Lee followed with a single, advancing Pence to 3rd. Z got Berkman to pop out, but Blum chopped a grounder past Derrek Lee to tie it. Z did a great job minimizing the damage, but the walk came back to bite him.

Blum then ended it in the 9th against Angel Guzman with a bases loaded single with one out.

Game 3: Astros 2 Cubs 1 (13)

It was another pathetic effort by the Cubs offense, this time against Russ Ortiz and a barrage of Astros no name relievers who threw very well. The only offense the Cubs got all afternoon was off of LaTroy Hawkins, who blew a save opportunity in the 9th inning when Derrek Lee hit a solo jack.

Lee tied it after the Cubs trailed all game after fellow Lee, Carlos, gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead in the first with a sac fly. Ryan Dempster, who also appears to be finding his groove, kept the Cubs in it with 6 scoreless innings after Lee’s sac fly.

He was followed by Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg, who both tossed 2 scoreless innings. Jose Ascanio nearly did the same thing, but he was undone by a walk by Hunter Pence, who stole second. Lance Berkman was then intentionally walked with 2 outs before stupid Geoff Blum got his second consecutive walkoff hit.

The Cubs start interleague play tomorrow, hosting the Minnesota Twins in what will be the first matchup between the teams in 3 years. Look for the preview tomorrow.