Christian Walker homered in both of his first two ABs to drive in all 3 Astros runs, backing 6 shutout innings by Kai-Wei Teng as the Houston Astros (22-31) shut out the Chicago Cubs (29-23) 3-0 at Wrigley Field.
The Astros have now won 3 of their last 4 games, and 5 of their last 8. Houston sent Chicago to its 7th straight loss, and the Northsiders have now dropped 11 of their last 13 games since posting a 10 game win streak.
Teng (W, 3-3) allowed only 2 hits, walked 3, and struck out 6 while lowering
his ERA to 2.19. He threw 56 of his 89 pitches for strikes. He got an incredible 23 called strikes, while also generating 10 swings and misses.
Walker drove a 1-0 slider from Cubs starter Colin Rea (L, 4-3) 376 ft to left center for a 2-run home run in the first. The blast was 105.5 MPH off the bat as Walker’s shot cut through the wind at Wrigley for his 12th HR of the season. Walker would then connect for his 13th HR in the 4th, a solo shot 369 ft to left center off a 3-2 sinker. The 105.6 MPH blast cut through the wind as sharply as the first one.
Steven Okert, Enyel De Los Santos, and Bryan King would finish off the 3-hit shutout, with King collecting his 6th Save.
In the top of the 6th, Yordan Alvarez had to be removed from the game mid-AB. Alvarez led off the inning, and before his AB he and manager Joe Espada had a long conversation, which was eventually joined by the team trainer. Yordan was allowed to take his AB.
After swinging and missing an 0-1 pitch, Alvarez took a long time to get in the batter’s box again and seemed to be in discomfort. Espada and the trainer came out again, and Alvarez was lifted for PH Zach Dezenzo. The Astros would later announce Alvarez left the game with a back spasm.
The Astros certainly hope Alvarez won’t be out long, as their injury-depleted roster has already been stretched past it’s limits and the team can ill-afford to lose it’s best hitter for a prolonged stretch.
Houston will go for the series sweep Sunday at 1:20 pm behind RHP Peter Lambert (2-4, 3.57), while the Cubs have not yet announced their starter for tomorrow’s game.
