Lou's Crew Mailed Another One In - Cubs 1 Astros 8

post from ChicagoCubsOnline.com on 28 July 2010 09:54:26 PM. © ChicagoCubsOnline.com

Game One Hundred Two - Cubs 1 Astros 8
WP - Bud Norris (3-7) LP - Randy Wells (5-8) Save - None

For the second game in a row the Cubs pathetic offense managed only one run. One bleepin' run against Bud Norris and company. The Cubs have scored only two runs in the last nine innings and lost for the eighth time to the Houston Astros this season (4-8).

Randy Wells clearly did not have it early on. While Wells did not allow a run and surrendered only one hit through the first five innings, Wells tied a season-high with four walks before crumbling in the sixth.

The beginning of the end for the Cubs was Wells' fifth free pass of the game (a new season high, or low). Wells walked Lance Berkman to lead off the sixth ahead of a double by Hunter Pence and the first of two, two-run homers by Carlos Lee.

Wells left with two outs in the sixth after surrendering three runs on five hits with five walks and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

The Astros broke out the lumber over the last three innings. Houston scored three in the sixth, two in the seventh and tacked on three more in the eighth. 12 of the Astros' 13 hits came from the sixth inning on.

While Brad Mills' offense was hitting the cover off the ball, Lou's offense could not take advantage of early opportunities. The Cubs scored their only run in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Aramis Ramirez ... 0-for-8 with RISP and nine left on base.

Carlos Lee proved he is still a Cubs' killer Wednesday afternoon. Joey Votto has just about taken Lee's crown, but Lee almost single handedly beat the Cubs Wednesday afternoon: 2-for-4 with two, two-run home runs, two runs scored and four RBI.

The Cubs mailed another one in this afternoon ... and it all began with the manager's starting lineup.

With the loss, the Cubs fell back to 10 games under .500 at 46-56 on the season. Wednesday's defeat was also their 30th against the NL Central. The Chicago Cubs are 19-30 versus the division, 27-26 against the rest of baseball ... and the biggest problem has been their head-to-head match ups against the Astros and Pirates. The Cubs are 7-17 versus the two teams under them in the standings and 39-39 against the rest of baseball.