Things deteriorated for Moehler, as Lilly led off the second with a triple to right-center. Fukudome drove him in, reaching on a throwing error by Edwin Maysonet. Fontenot led off the third with a home run to left, expanding the Cubs lead to 5-0.
Brandon Backe relieved Moehler and pitched three innings. In his second appearance this season, Backe started off well, striking out his first two batters and pitching two scoreless innings.
The Cubs would rough him up in the sixth. After Fukudome flied out to right, Lee walked. Backe struck out Milton Bradley but would run into trouble. Fontenot and Soto both got singles loading the bases. Blanco drove in Lee and Fontenot with a double. Backe ended the inning by striking out Lilly.
Backe allowed six hits, two runs, walked three, and struck out four. Alberto Arias pitched two scoreless innings and Tim Byrdak pitched a scoreless ninth.
Lance Berkman got the Astros only run with a ninth inning home run to left. Houston only got five hits. Berkman and Miguel Tejada each had two, and Hunter Pence got a double in the first inning.
The Cubs got 16 hits on Houston’s pitchers. Bradley and Theriot were the only Cubs that did not get a hit. Fukudome and Lee each reached base in five of six plate appearances. Blanco and Fukudome led the Cubs in RBI with two each.
The Astros and Cubs resume their series Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park. Wandy Rodriguez is starting for Houston against Chicago’s Carlos Zambrano.
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