Game Recap #23 Houston Astros @ Chicago Cubs

Wrigley Field is one of the most iconic ballparks in the major leagues, alongside the other notably historic field, Fenway Park. However, unlike it's eastern cousin, Wrigley has never seen a championship for its tenants, the Chicago Cubs. The nearly one hundred year old park was built a few years after the Cubs won the World Series in 1908, and since they haven't won since then, the park is sometimes associated in a manner of superstition. For a long time now, the Cubs have been nearly contenders or bottom dwellers, and it is the latter persona they take on today when they face fellow basement companions in the Houston Astros. Both of these teams are known for a lack of offensive output, and they lived up to it today. The starting pitchers, Wandy Rodriguez for the Astros and Travis Wood for the Cubs, looked exceptionally good today. The first blemish came in the sixth inning as Chicago finally cracked through to Rodriguez. The rally began with a double by the pitcher Wood, followed by a Reed Johnson groundout that got Wood over to third base. Rodriguez then intentionally walked star shortstop Starlin Castro, which in turn led to the next hitter, phenom Anthony Rizzo, to line a single over to right field that brought Wood home. The Cubs weren't done yet, as Jeff Baker hit a 2-RBI double that got both Castro and Rizzo home. Rodriguez did work until the eighth inning, leaving after seven innings where he allowed five hits and a walk to produce three earned runs, while striking out three. Wood stayed on the mound longer, going 7 2/3 innings of three-hit shutout ball, striking out four in the process. Shawn Camp closed out the top of the eighth for the Cubs pitchers. The Astros sent both David Carpenter and Wesley Wright to the mound in the eighth inning, where they efficiently shut down the Chicago offense. However, the Houston offense was useless against reinstated Cubs closer Carlos Marmol, who preserved the win for Wood by closing the door for a save. The final stood at 3-0.