Jordan Lyles (4-1, 3.22) vs Jeff Samardzija (7-4, 3.35)
They can't all be winners. Jordan Lyles' string of 7 straight starts giving up 2 runs or less was snapped, Houston's string of 2 straight series wins was snapped, and the Cubs accomplished the feat with an old-fashioned buttwhupping. Astros fall today 14-6, dropping to 29-48 on the season.
On the Mound:
*Jordan Lyles had his first bad start since his last bad start, which is to say that it was only his second truly bad outing of the season. Two errors behind him didn't help, but Lyles was still hit hard for his part, finishing with a 5 IP / 10 H / 8 R / 5 ER / 1 BB / 3 K line.
*Wade LeBlanc didn't fare any better than Lyles, serving up 3 H and a BB in 1.2 IP, good for 4 R (all earned).
*Josh Fields was the only Astros pitcher who was untouched today, striking out the lone batter he faced.
*Wesley Wright took the rest of the damage, giving up 2 R (both earned) on 3 H in 1 IP.
At the Plate:
*Every Astros positional starter had at least one hit except for Marc Krauss, making his first big league start as Houston's RF today. It was an ignominious debut, going 0 for 4 at the plate and committing a throwing error that contributed to the Cubs' first run.
*Chris Carter continued surging in a big way, going 4 for 5 with 3 2B, 2 R, and 2 RBI.
*Jason Castro had his own pair of doubles and went 3 for 5 with a run scored.
*Matt Dominguez was 1 for 4 with a RBI.
*J.D. Martinez was 1 for 5 with a RBI and a run scored.
*Justin Maxwell (1 for 4, BB, 2 K) and Jose Altuve (1 for 5) scored a run apiece.
*Marwin Gonzalez was 2 for 4, but also botched a double play ball in the 3rd that led to 3 unearned Cubs runs.
Turning Point:
A modest 1-0 Cubs lead after two got ugly fast in the third. Jeff Samardzija led off with a single, which Luis Valbuena followed with what should have been a double play grounder to short. Marwin Gonzalez borked the play, however, and everyone was safe. The game jumped the rails for the Astros after that, as the sequence went walk, single, K, sac fly, double, HBP, single. The final out was actually recorded on another botched grounder that tempted Ryan Sweeney to try and score, but Gonzalez recovered in time to throw home, where Jason Castro tagged Sweeney out. When the dust settled, it was 5-0 Cubs, and it only got worse from there.
Man of the Match:
Chris Carter. Finishes the Cubs series 7 for 13 with 4 2B, a HR, 3 RBI, and 4 R.
Goat of the Game:
Pick-a-pitcher (or a fielder), but we'll go with Jordan Lyles. The only game besides 5/12 versus Texas that he's given up more than 3 runs.
