04/24/24 10:44:00
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04/24 22:42 CDT Dansby Swanson homers as the short-handed Cubs beat the
struggling Astros 4-3
Dansby Swanson homers as the short-handed Cubs beat the struggling Astros 4-3
By JAY COHEN
AP Baseball Writer
CHICAGO (AP) --- Dansby Swanson hit a three-run homer during Chicago's four-run
first inning and the short-handed Cubs beat the Houston Astros 4-3 on Wednesday
night.
Playing without Cody Bellinger, Chicago used Swanson's big swing and a solid
start by Jameson Taillon to earn its second straight win. It will try to sweep
the three-game set against the struggling Astros on Thursday.
Taillon (2-0) allowed two runs, one earned, and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings on
a chilly evening at Wrigley Field. The right-hander struck out four and walked
two in his second start since he began the season on the injured list with a
back strain.
"Before that back injury, I just really liked where we were at," Taillon said,
"and I feel like we were able to use that downtime as like, let's stay on the
straight and narrow, stay on the right path."
Houston lost for the seventh time in eight games. It has scored a total of 21
runs during the slide.
Manager Joe Espada tried to spark his sputtering lineup by moving Alex Bregman
into the second spot, between Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez. But the Astros
went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base.
Altuve opened the ninth with a drive to left against Hctor Neris for his sixth
homer. But Neris retired Bregman, Alvarez and Kyle Tucker for his second save
in three opportunities.
Bellinger was placed on the 10-day injured list with two fractured ribs on his
right side. The center fielder got hurt during the series opener Tuesday night.
There was no word just yet on a timetable for his return.
"The doctors will come up with a plan," manager Craig Counsell said, "and, like
everything, he's got to get symptom-free first and we'll go from there."
Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ singled for Chicago in the first against Spencer
Arrighetti. Michael Busch delivered a sacrifice fly and Christopher Morel
walked before Swanson hit a two-out drive to left for his third homer.
The Cubs also got off to a fast start Tuesday night, jumping on the Astros for
five runs in the first in a 7-2 victory.
"We've just been pretty committed to our plans coming in and put some good
swings on some balls and that's just a testament to the work that the guys are
doing in the cage," Swanson said.
Arrighetti (0-3) was pulled with two outs in the fourth. The right-hander
allowed seven hits, struck out seven and walked two in his third major league
start.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: LHP Framber Valdez (elbow soreness) threw about 40 pitches during a
bullpen session. "He came off the mound feeling good," Espada said. Valdez
remains in line to start this weekend during a two-game series against Colorado
in Mexico City. ... RHP Cristian Javier (neck discomfort) played catch back in
Houston. "The doctor saw him, and it looks like he's improving," Espada said.
Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks is taking pills to help with the inflammation from his
low back strain. He also is getting treatment and playing catch to help keep
his arm moving. He isn't too concerned about the injury. "It just made sense to
give it the time to settle down, get out of there and give myself a chance to
get back to 100 percent," he said. ... OF Seiya Suzuki (right oblique strain)
has resumed baseball activities.
UP NEXT
Houston right-hander Justin Verlander (1-0, 3.00 ERA) makes his second start
since he missed the beginning of the season because of shoulder inflammation.
Right-hander Javier Assad (2-0, 2.11 ERA) takes the mound for Chicago.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
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