Bellinger Out; Cubs Top the Astros

Even without Cody Bellinger in the lineup, the Cubs beat the Houston Astros on Wednesday evening.

Author

Patrick K. Flowers
April 25, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Dansby Swanson's three-run homer propelled the Chicago Cubs to a narrow 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros on a freezing Wednesday night. Despite bone-chilling temperatures that made it feel like 33 degrees on the field, the Cubs secured their eighth win in the last 11 games.

Meanwhile, the struggling Astros suffered their fourth consecutive loss and fell for the 11th time in the past 14 games, remaining at the bottom of the AL West.

The Cubs took an early lead with Michael Busch's sacrifice fly in the first inning before Swanson delivered the big blow with his three-run blast off Spencer Arrighetti in the same inning. However, Houston fought back, cutting the lead in half in the third inning through small-ball tactics.

In the ninth inning, Jose Altuve's solo shot off former teammate Hector Neris narrowed the gap to 4-3, but Neris shut down the Astros' offense to secure his second save as a Cub.

Jameson Taillon earned the win for Chicago, pitching five and two-thirds innings and allowing just one earned run. Arrighetti took the loss for Houston after lasting only three and two-thirds innings.

The Cubs took the series opener 7-2 on Tuesday, and the three-game series concludes Thursday afternoon.

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