Unlikely Heroes Ted Lilly, Geovany Soto Come Up Big in Cubs Win over Astros

The Cubs pulled out a 7-2 victory last night over the Houston Astros without the help of Alfonso Soriano for the first time in the last few games.

The two hottest hitters in the National League, Lance Berkman and Alfonso Soriano, combined to go 0-8 in the game that featured great pitching early on.

Cubs’ starter Ted Lilly picked up his fourth straight victory, after starting the season 0-3.  Lilly pitched five and one third innings while striking out six Astros hitters and gave up four hits and two walks. 

The early hero of the day was rookie catcher Geovany Soto.  Soto came up with an inside the park three run homer, which on replay looked like it could have been a regular homer. 

Soto hustled and made it a memorable day for Cubs’ fans.  It was Soto's nine homerun this season.

Aramis Ramirez also chipped in a three run homer and two other hits in the Cubs victory. 

First baseman Derrek Lee is looking like he's coming out of his mini slump that saw his average drop from .320 to .289 on the last homestand.  Lee came up with two hits and an RBI in last night's game.

Jon Lieber has looked solid in his last two outings coming off of a rough start against Cincinnati when he gave up four home runs in just three innings of work. 

Lieber entered in relief of Lilly last night and pitched one-and-two-thirds innings of scoreless baseball for the Cubs and only allowing one hit.

Carlos Marmol is also looking like he's bouncing back after a rough outing in game two against Pittsburgh. 

Marmol came in to get out of a jam with runners on first and third and no outs, with Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, and Miguel Tejada coming up and came out unscathed.

The Cubs will look to continue their hot streak again tonight when Ryan Dempster (5-1) squares off against Houston's Chris Sampson (2-3).