The Houston Astros are winners of five straight games, adding to the streak with a strong offensive outing against the Chicago Cubs.
The score remained blank through the first two innings of action, but Victor Caratini got things going for the Astros in the bottom of the third, bringing home Jose Altuve with the bases loaded.
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Later in the inning, Yainer Diaz blasted a three-run bomb to make it a 4-0 ballgame.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Cam Smith took the game into blowout territory, hitting a three-run homer against the organization who traded him earlier this year as part of the Kyle Tucker package.
The Cubs scored four runs across the game’s final five innings, but the Astros’ lead proved insurmountable, as the team left Daikin Park with a stress-free 7-4 win.
Lefty Brandon Walter got the start at the mound for Houston. Across 6.0 innings of play, he tossed five strikeouts and allowed five hits, an earned run and no walks.
After reliever Bennet Sousa allowed a run in the top of the ninth, closer Josh Hader came in to secure the game’s final out and tally his 22nd save of the season.
The Astros have now won five straight games, including a three-game sweep over the Philadelphia Phillies. With a 49-33 record, they now hold a seven-game lead over the Seattle Mariners for first place in the AL West.
They’ll face the Cubs again on Saturday on FOX. Their starting pitcher is undecided, and first pitch is scheduled for 6:15 p.m.
