Cubs 1 - 5 Astros
Final
  for this game

Astros complete sweep of Cubs

May 24, 2012 - 4:47 AM

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Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Wandy Rodriguez pitched seven strong innings and J.D. Martinez went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored as Houston wrapped up a three-game sweep of Chicago with a 5-1 win on Wednesday.

Rodriguez (4-4) gave up one run on eight hits with five strikeouts while Carlos Lee went 3-for-4 with two runs scored for the Astros, who have won six of eight.

"I feel about the same, I just wasn't missing pitches tonight like I was in the past," said Martinez. "You know, I would foul pitches off, but I wasn't doing that tonight."

Reed Johnson hit a home run in the loss for the Cubs, who have dropped their past nine games. Jeff Samardzija (4-3) gave up two runs on six hits over six innings to take the loss.

"It's a learning experience and we need to take everything that's going on right now and remember it in the long run," said Samardzija. "When we get in this situation again, we'll know how to get out of it."

Johnson hit a one-out homer in the first to get the Cubs on the board, but that was it for the runs for the team.

Chicago stranded runners in each of the next eight innings, including men on first and second in the third and fifth and stranding Joe Mather at third in the sixth after he led off the frame with a double.

Houston didn't get on the board until the fourth, but did take the lead as Lee and Chris Johnson singled and Martinez brought them home with a triple for a 2-1 lead.

The eighth inning saw Houston put away the game. With two outs and men on first and second, Martinez singled home Lee. Jason Castro then walked and Matt Downs followed with a walk to score Johnson. Jose Altuve was then hit by a pitch to score Martinez for a 5-1 advantage.

Game Notes

Chicago went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 men...Houston batted 2-for-7 with RISP and left nine on base...Houston plays three games in Los Angeles starting on Friday...Chicago starts a three-game set in Pittsburgh on Friday.






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