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Astros edge Cubs

Aug 18, 2011 - 4:02 AM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Matt Downs went 2-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs as the Houston Astros beat the Chicago Cubs, 4-3, in the finale of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park.

Brian Bogusevic added a two-run double, and Jose Altuve scored twice for the Astros, who have won two straight after dropping seven in a row.

Bud Norris (6-8) earned the win for Houston after giving up three runs on six hits over five innings.

"I didn't have my best stuff today. I'm just trying to battle, especially this late in the season," said Norris. "I was happy to get through five."

Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run homer, and Geovany Soto added a solo blast in the Cubs' third loss in eight tries.

Casey Coleman (2-5) started in place of the suspended Carlos Zambrano and was pegged with the loss after giving up four runs on 10 hits in just 3 2/3 innings.

"I need to show people that I can go out there and compete. When the league sees you a little bit they are going to make adjustments, so now it's my turn to make some adjustments and start pitching better," Coleman said.

The Astros scored two in the fourth to take the deciding 4-3 lead. J.B. Shuck reached on a fielder's choice before Altuve singled, putting runners on first and second. Coleman then threw a wild pitch, allowing both runners to advance before Downs singled them in one batter later.

The Cubs had a chance to tie the game in the ninth. Darwin Barney led off the frame with a single and then moved to third on a hit-and-run base hit by Ramirez. Tony Campana, who replaced Ramirez on the bases, stole second before Soto grounded into a fielder's choice, catching Barney between third and home. Campana was able to move to third during the run down, but Mark Melancon was able to get Marlon Byrd to ground out to end the game, picking up his 12th save of the season.

Chicago jumped to a 2-0 lead in the third after Ramirez belted his 23rd homer of the year. Barney singled before Ramirez clobbered the first-pitch fastball over the wall in left-center.

After Houston loaded the bases with two outs in the third, Bogusevic laced a hard hit ball down the first base line. Carlos Pena made a diving attempt to stop it, but the ball skipped off the top of his glove and down the line, allowing Altuve and J.D. Martinez to score. That would be all the Astros would get in the inning, as Clint Barmes struck out swinging to end the threat.

The Cubs came back with one more run in the fourth after Soto hit a leadoff homer to left.

Game Notes

Houston is 11-27 in day games this season...Bogusevic has six RBI in his last five at bats...Coleman is the first third-generation pitcher in major league history, his grandfather Joe pitched from 1942-1955 and his father Joe Jr. pitched from 1965-1979, including a stint with the Cubs in 1976...Ramirez has hit safely in seven straight games.