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Baker lifts Cubs over Astros in extras

Jul 25, 2011 - 12:42 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Jeff Baker singled with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th, as the Chicago Cubs downed the Houston Astros 5-4 to record their first three-game win streak and sweep of the season.

Marlon Byrd scored the winning run after leading off with a high fly ball to right, which Hunter Pence lost in the sun, allowing Byrd to reach with a triple.

"I saw the ball off the bat and it never came out of the sun," said Pence. "I was just looking, looking, looking and then I heard it hit the ground. I really don't know what I could've done better on that play."

John Grabow (2-0) worked a scoreless top of the 10th, while David Carpenter (0-1) surrendered the decisive run to take the loss for the Astros, who had won two straight prior to their series with the Cubs.

The Astros grabbed the lead in the first inning on Clint Barmes' one-out solo shot.

Chicago went in front with a three-run second. Byrd and Geovany Soto began the frame with back-to-back doubles and, after an Alfonso Soriano strikeout, Darwin Barney added an RBI double to left. Matt Garza then helped his own cause with a run-scoring single down the right field line, marking his first career RBI.

In the third, Garza issued a leadoff walk to Jordan Lyles. Michael Bourn followed with a single and Garza retired the next two batters before walking Carlos Lee to load the bases, but Chris Johnson went down swinging to end the threat.

In the fifth, Lyles and Bourn got things started with singles and moved up on Barmes' sac bunt. Lyles crossed the plate on Pence's groundout, but Lee popped out to end the inning.

Garza allowed just two runs on five hits and three walks with nine strikeouts but was relieved by Jeff Samardzija to begin the eighth.

The Astros capitalized, as Pence drew a leadoff walk and Lee followed with a go-ahead homer to left.

The lead was short-lived, however, as the Cubs tied the game in the home half on a Soriano RBI single.

Again it was Byrd who scored the crucial run. He led off with a single and advanced to third on Soto's base hit to right. Soriano then pulled a bloop to left. Jason Bourgeois charged hard and initially snagged the ball as he dove, but it was jarred loose as Bourgeois hit the ground.

The Astros loaded the bases in the top of the ninth, but Carlos Marmol struck out Pence and got Lee to fly out to end the threat.

"It took awhile, but we finally got it done," said Byrd of the club's first sweep. "We had good pitching from Garza. We kept battling, kept fighting and that's what we have to do the rest of the year."

Game Notes

Lyles lasted six innings, allowing three runs on nine hits and a walk. He struck out five...Bourn extended his hit streak to nine games...The Cubs are 5-0 in extra inning tilts at Wrigley Field this season.