Chicago Cubs left-hander Jordan Wicks pitched his first quality start of the season, holding the Houston Astros to two runs over six innings in a 7-2 victory on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field. Wicks struck out six batters and did not walk a batter, marking a significant improvement from his previous starts. The Cubs offense provided plenty of support with a five-run first inning, including home runs from Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman. Tauchman added a second home run in the eighth inning for his second career multi-homer game. Bellinger left the game in the seventh inning with a right rib bruise after colliding with the outfield wall, but X-rays were negative. With a challenging stretch of 16 consecutive games ahead, the Cubs will need their starting pitchers to cover more innings, and Wicks’ performance is a positive sign in that regard.
Results for: Jordan Wicks
The Chicago Cubs opened their three-game series against the visiting Houston Astros with a convincing 7-2 victory on Tuesday, powered by impressive performances from Mike Tauchman and Cody Bellinger. Tauchman hit two home runs and drove in four runs, while Bellinger contributed a two-run homer. Jordan Wicks pitched a solid six innings for the Cubs, allowing only two runs on five hits. The Astros have now lost 10 of their past 13 games, scoring just six runs during their current three-game skid.
The Houston Astros are facing their worst start in seven years with a 7-16 record after losing nine of their last 12 games. They will look to turn things around in a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs, who are coming off a split with the Miami Marlins. The Astros have been held under four hits in two of their last three games, leading to concerns about their offense. First baseman Jose Abreu has struggled with a 59-at-bat hitless streak. The Cubs are expected to start left-hander Jordan Wicks, while the Astros will counter with right-hander J.P. France.