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Tauchman homers twice as Cubs win 7-2, drop Astros 10 games under .500 for first time since 2016

CHICAGO (AP) Mike Tauchman hit his first two homers of the season, and the Chicago Cubs took a five-run first-inning lead in a 7-2 win over Houston on Tuesday night that dropped the Astros 10 games under .500 for the first time since 2016.

Cody Bellinger hit a two-run homer in the first off J.P. France (0-3) and Tauchman hit a three-run drive. Tauchman added a solo homer in the eighth against Seth Martinez and tied his career high of four RBIs.

“I was just fortunate to put a couple of good swings on it,” Tauchman said after a pair of opposite-field drives to left. “We’re having fun right now and played good ball."

Bellinger left after the fifth inning with bruised right ribs. He appeared to get hurt running into the center-field wall after a ball in the fourth. X-rays showed no sign of fracture and is to be evaluated further Wednesday.

Houston has lost three straight and six of seven. At 7-17, the last-place Astros are 10 games under .500 for the first time since an 18-28 start in 2016.

“I sense guys are tired of the situation we’re in. We’ve just got to get over the hump,” first-year manager Joe Espada said. “The effort is there, but we’ve got to be better.”

Jordan Wicks (1-2) allowed two runs and five hits in a season-high six innings with no walks and four strikeouts. Chicago has won seven of 10.

“It was frustrating for me,” Wicks said of his first four starts. “I felt like I put a lot of stress on the bullpen. ... To go six tonight was awesome.”

France (0-3) gave up five runs, five hits and four walks in five innings.

“It’s hard to recover when you’re down five,” Espada said. “He kept it close after that.”

Jake Meyers had a solo homer for Houston.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: LHP Framber Valdez (elbow soreness) could rejoin the rotation this weekend when the club plays a two-game series against Colorado in Mexico City. … RHP Cristian Javier flew to Houston on Tuesday for further evaluation of the neck soreness that landed him on the 15-day injured list.

Cubs: The club placed RHP Kyle Hendricks (low back strain) and LHP Drew Smyly (right hip impingement) on the 15-day injured list and designated INF Garrett Cooper for assignment. Chicago recalled RHP Hayden Wesneski, LHP Luke Little and INF Matt Mervis from Triple-A Iowa. … OF Ian Happ was back in the lineup after missing two straight games with left hamstring tightness.

UP NEXT

Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti (0-2, 7.08 ERA) faces fellow RHP Jameson Taillon (1-0, 1.80) on Wednesday, Taillon’s second start this season after recovering from a strained back.

---

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Astros HOU7-17	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	2	6	1
Cubs CHC14-9	5	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	X	7	6	0

Wrigley FieldChicago, IL

W: J. Wicks (1-2)L: J. France (0-3)S: Y. Almonte (1)
HR: HOU - J. Meyers (4), CHC - M. Tauchman 2 (4), C. Bellinger (7)

HOUAstros

CHCCubs

.J. WicksJordan Wicks
P
6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 SO, 86 P
.M. TauchmanMike Tauchman
CF
2-3, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR, BB, SO

HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	BB	SO	LOB	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	FPTS
J. Altuve 2B	4	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	.357	.422	.592	1.014	1.5
Y. Alvarez DH	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	.277	.358	.468	.827	-0.5
K. Tucker RF	3	1	2	0	0	1	1	0	.286	.398	.527	.926	4.5
A. Bregman 3B	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	.203	.289	.266	.555	0.0
Y. Diaz C	4	0	1	1	0	0	1	0	.287	.330	.437	.767	2.5
J. Pena SS	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	.330	.357	.447	.804	-0.5
C. McCormick LF	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.246	.333	.292	.626	0.0
J. Abreu 1B	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.065	.132	.081	.213	0.0
J. Meyers CF	3	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	.227	.277	.477	.754	6.0

HITTERS	AB
J. Altuve 2B	4
Y. Alvarez DH	4
K. Tucker RF	3
A. Bregman 3B	4
Y. Diaz C	4
J. Pena SS	4
C. McCormick LF	4
J. Abreu 1B	3
J. Meyers CF	3

HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	BB	SO	LOB	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	FPTS
N. Hoerner 2B	5	0	0	1	0	0	0	4	.272	.368	.370	.739	3.0
I. Happ LF	3	1	1	0	0	1	1	3	.244	.359	.372	.730	3.5
C. Bellinger CF	3	1	1	2	1	0	1	2	.226	.320	.440	.760	6.5
A. Canario RF	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.286	.333	.571	.905	-0.5
M. Busch 1B	4	0	0	0	0	0	3	2	.292	.366	.583	.949	-1.5
C. Morel 3B	2	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	.200	.281	.353	.634	3.0
N. Madrigal 3B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.231	.286	.308	.593	0.0
D. Swanson SS	3	2	1	0	0	1	2	1	.235	.315	.370	.686	3.0
M. Tauchman RF-CF	3	2	2	4	2	1	1	1	.283	.397	.491	.887	13.5
M. Mervis DH	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.000	.000	.000	-0.5
M. Amaya C	2	0	1	0	0	2	0	0	.273	.340	.432	.772	3.0

HITTERS	AB
N. Hoerner 2B	5
I. Happ LF	3
C. Bellinger CF	3
A. Canario RF	1
M. Busch 1B	4
C. Morel 3B	2
N. Madrigal 3B	0
D. Swanson SS	3
M. Tauchman RF-CF	3
M. Mervis DH	3
M. Amaya C	2

2B - K. Tucker (7), Y. Diaz (4)
HR - J. Meyers (3)
RBI - Y. Diaz (10), J. Meyers (8)
2-Out RBI - Y. Diaz, J. Meyers
Runners left in scoring position, 2-Out - A. Bregman, J. Pena

2B - I. Happ (5)
HR - C. Bellinger (5), M. Tauchman 2 (2)
RBI - N. Hoerner (7), C. Bellinger 2 (17), M. Tauchman 4 (7)
2-Out RBI - M. Tauchman 3 (3)
Runners left in scoring position, 2-Out - I. Happ 2 (2), M. Busch

SB - N. Hoerner
CS - M. Tauchman

E - Y. Diaz (2)

PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA	WHIP	FPTS
J. France (L, 0-3)	5.0	5	5	5	4	6	2	7.46	1.70	-1.0
T. Scott	1.0	0	1	0	2	1	0	2.38	1.24	1.5
S. Martinez	2.0	1	1	1	1	3	1	2.57	0.93	4.5

PITCHERS	IP
J. France (L, 0-3)	5.0
T. Scott	1.0
S. Martinez	2.0

PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA	WHIP	FPTS
J. Wicks (W, 1-2)	6.0	5	2	2	0	4	1	4.70	1.52	23.0
B. Brown	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3.72	1.03	3.0
M. Leiter	0.2	1	0	0	1	0	0	0.00	0.97	0.0
Y. Almonte (S, 1)	1.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	3.60	1.20	11.5

PITCHERS	IP
J. Wicks (W, 1-2)	6.0
B. Brown	1.0
M. Leiter	0.2
Y. Almonte (S, 1)	1.1

Pitches-Strikes - J. France 96-55, T. Scott 31-17, S. Martinez 42-25
Ground Balls-Fly Balls - J. France 4-5, T. Scott 2-0, S. Martinez 1-3
Batters Faced - J. France 23, T. Scott 6, S. Martinez 8

Pitches-Strikes - J. Wicks 86-57, B. Brown 7-6, M. Leiter 15-7, Y. Almonte 13-9
Ground Balls-Fly Balls - J. Wicks 8-8, B. Brown 0-1, M. Leiter 1-1, Y. Almonte 2-0
Batters Faced - J. Wicks 23, B. Brown 3, M. Leiter 4, Y. Almonte 4

.J. WicksJordan Wicks
P
6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 SO, 86 P
.M. TauchmanMike Tauchman
CF
2-3, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR, BB, SO

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Astros HOU7-17	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	2	6	1
Cubs CHC14-9	5	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	X	7	6	0

Wrigley FieldChicago, IL

HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	BB	SO	LOB	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	FPTS
J. Altuve 2B	4	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	.357	.422	.592	1.014	1.5
Y. Alvarez DH	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	.277	.358	.468	.827	-0.5
K. Tucker RF	3	1	2	0	0	1	1	0	.286	.398	.527	.926	4.5
A. Bregman 3B	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	.203	.289	.266	.555	0.0
Y. Diaz C	4	0	1	1	0	0	1	0	.287	.330	.437	.767	2.5
J. Pena SS	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	.330	.357	.447	.804	-0.5
C. McCormick LF	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.246	.333	.292	.626	0.0
J. Abreu 1B	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.065	.132	.081	.213	0.0
J. Meyers CF	3	1	1	1	1	0	0	0	.227	.277	.477	.754	6.0
Total	33	2	6	2	1	1	5	7	-	-	-	-	-

HITTERS	AB
J. Altuve 2B	4
Y. Alvarez DH	4
K. Tucker RF	3
A. Bregman 3B	4
Y. Diaz C	4
J. Pena SS	4
C. McCormick LF	4
J. Abreu 1B	3
J. Meyers CF	3
Total	33

HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	HR	BB	SO	LOB	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	FPTS
N. Hoerner 2B	5	0	0	1	0	0	0	4	.272	.368	.370	.739	3.0
I. Happ LF	3	1	1	0	0	1	1	3	.244	.359	.372	.730	3.5
C. Bellinger CF	3	1	1	2	1	0	1	2	.226	.320	.440	.760	6.5
A. Canario RF	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.286	.333	.571	.905	-0.5
M. Busch 1B	4	0	0	0	0	0	3	2	.292	.366	.583	.949	-1.5
C. Morel 3B	2	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	.200	.281	.353	.634	3.0
N. Madrigal 3B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.231	.286	.308	.593	0.0
D. Swanson SS	3	2	1	0	0	1	2	1	.235	.315	.370	.686	3.0
M. Tauchman RF-CF	3	2	2	4	2	1	1	1	.283	.397	.491	.887	13.5
M. Mervis DH	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.000	.000	.000	-0.5
M. Amaya C	2	0	1	0	0	2	0	0	.273	.340	.432	.772	3.0
Total	29	7	6	7	3	7	10	13	-	-	-	-	-

HITTERS	AB
N. Hoerner 2B	5
I. Happ LF	3
C. Bellinger CF	3
A. Canario RF	1
M. Busch 1B	4
C. Morel 3B	2
N. Madrigal 3B	0
D. Swanson SS	3
M. Tauchman RF-CF	3
M. Mervis DH	3
M. Amaya C	2
Total	29

2B - K. Tucker (7), Y. Diaz (4)
HR - J. Meyers (3)
RBI - Y. Diaz (10), J. Meyers (8)
2-Out RBI - Y. Diaz, J. Meyers
Runners left in scoring position, 2-Out - A. Bregman, J. Pena

2B - I. Happ (5)
HR - C. Bellinger (5), M. Tauchman 2 (2)
RBI - N. Hoerner (7), C. Bellinger 2 (17), M. Tauchman 4 (7)
2-Out RBI - M. Tauchman 3 (3)
Runners left in scoring position, 2-Out - I. Happ 2 (2), M. Busch

SB - N. Hoerner
CS - M. Tauchman

E - Y. Diaz (2)

PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA	WHIP	FPTS
J. France (L, 0-3)	5.0	5	5	5	4	6	2	7.46	1.70	-1.0
T. Scott	1.0	0	1	0	2	1	0	2.38	1.24	1.5
S. Martinez	2.0	1	1	1	1	3	1	2.57	0.93	4.5
Total	8.0	6	7	6	7	10	3	-	-	-

PITCHERS	IP
J. France (L, 0-3)	5.0
T. Scott	1.0
S. Martinez	2.0
Total	8.0

PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA	WHIP	FPTS
J. Wicks (W, 1-2)	6.0	5	2	2	0	4	1	4.70	1.52	23.0
B. Brown	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3.72	1.03	3.0
M. Leiter	0.2	1	0	0	1	0	0	0.00	0.97	0.0
Y. Almonte (S, 1)	1.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	3.60	1.20	11.5
Total	9.0	6	2	2	1	5	1	-	-	-

PITCHERS	IP
J. Wicks (W, 1-2)	6.0
B. Brown	1.0
M. Leiter	0.2
Y. Almonte (S, 1)	1.1
Total	9.0

Pitches-Strikes - J. France 96-55, T. Scott 31-17, S. Martinez 42-25
Ground Balls-Fly Balls - J. France 4-5, T. Scott 2-0, S. Martinez 1-3
Batters Faced - J. France 23, T. Scott 6, S. Martinez 8

Pitches-Strikes - J. Wicks 86-57, B. Brown 7-6, M. Leiter 15-7, Y. Almonte 13-9
Ground Balls-Fly Balls - J. Wicks 8-8, B. Brown 0-1, M. Leiter 1-1, Y. Almonte 2-0
Batters Faced - J. Wicks 23, B. Brown 3, M. Leiter 4, Y. Almonte 4

SCORING

ALL PLAYS

1ST INNING
Bellinger homered to right, Happ scored 0 2
Tauchman homered to left, Swanson and Morel scored 0 5
4TH INNING
Diaz doubled to center, Tucker scored 1 5
5TH INNING
Meyers homered to left 2 5
6TH INNING
Hoerner reached on fielder's choice to second, Swanson scored, Mervis to third, Amaya out at second 2 6
8TH INNING
Tauchman homered to left center 2 7

1ST INNING
	Bellinger homered to right, Happ scored	0	2
	Tauchman homered to left, Swanson and Morel scored	0	5

4TH INNING
	Diaz doubled to center, Tucker scored	1	5

5TH INNING
	Meyers homered to left	2	5

6TH INNING
	Hoerner reached on fielder's choice to second, Swanson scored, Mervis to third, Amaya out at second	2	6

8TH INNING
	Tauchman homered to left center	2	7

1ST INNING
Astros
J. Wicks Pitching:
J. Altuve: Foul, Strike swinging, Foul, Strike looking, Altuve struck out looking
Y. Alvarez: Foul, Foul, Foul, Ball, Strike swinging, Alvarez struck out swinging
K. Tucker: Tucker singled to deep right center
A. Bregman: Strike looking, Strike looking, Ball, Bregman reached on fielder's choice to shortstop, Tucker out at second
Middle of the 1st (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
Cubs
J. France Pitching:
N. Hoerner: Ball, Hoerner grounded out to second
I. Happ: Strike looking, Ball, Ball, Happ doubled to deep center
C. Bellinger: Bellinger homered to right, Happ scored
M. Busch: Strike looking, Ball, Foul, Strike swinging, Busch struck out swinging
C. Morel: Strike (foul tip), Ball, Strike swinging, Ball, Ball, Foul, Ball, Morel walked
D. Swanson: Strike looking, Ball, Strike swinging, Swanson singled to right, Morel to third
M. Tauchman: Ball, Ball, Tauchman homered to left, Swanson and Morel scored
M. Mervis: Ball, Strike swinging, Mervis flied out to right
End of the 1st (5 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
2ND INNING
Astros
J. Wicks Pitching:
Y. Diaz: Strike looking, Foul, Ball, Foul, Ball, Foul, Foul, Ball, Diaz grounded out to third
J. Pena: Strike swinging, Pena grounded out to third
C. McCormick: Ball, Ball, McCormick flied out to center
Middle of the 2nd (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
Cubs
J. France Pitching:
M. Amaya: Ball, Ball, Ball, Strike looking, Foul, Foul, Foul, Ball, Amaya walked
N. Hoerner: Strike looking, Foul, Ball, Hoerner lined out to right
I. Happ: Ball, Ball, Ball, Ball, Happ walked, Amaya to second
C. Bellinger: Strike swinging, Ball, Amaya to third on wild pitch, Strike swinging, Foul, Ball, Ball, Pickoff attempt to first, Strike looking, Bellinger struck out looking
M. Busch: Foul, Strike swinging, Ball, Busch grounded out to shortstop
End of the 2nd (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
3RD INNING
Astros
J. Wicks Pitching:
J. Abreu: Strike looking, Ball, Strike swinging, Foul, Ball, Abreu lined out to first
J. Meyers: Ball, Strike looking, Meyers flied out to shallow shortstop
J. Altuve: Foul, Ball, Ball, Ball, Altuve flied out to deep left
Middle of the 3rd (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
Cubs
J. France Pitching:
C. Morel: Morel grounded out to third
D. Swanson: Strike looking, Ball, Foul, Foul, Strike swinging, Swanson struck out swinging
M. Tauchman: Ball, Ball, Strike (foul tip), Strike looking, Ball, Foul, Ball, Tauchman walked
M. Mervis: Ball, Tauchman caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop
End of the 3rd (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
4TH INNING
Astros
J. Wicks Pitching:
Y. Alvarez: Strike looking, Ball, Alvarez grounded out to shortstop
K. Tucker: Foul, Ball, Strike swinging, Tucker doubled to deep center
A. Bregman: Ball, Bregman grounded out to third
Y. Diaz: Strike swinging, Ball, Strike swinging, Ball, Diaz doubled to center, Tucker scored
J. Pena: Strike swinging, Ball, Foul, Strike swinging, Pena struck out swinging
Middle of the 4th (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
Cubs
J. France Pitching:
M. Mervis: Strike looking, Foul, Ball, Strike swinging, Mervis struck out swinging
M. Amaya: Amaya singled to deep right
N. Hoerner: Hoerner fouled out to third
I. Happ: Strike looking, Ball, Foul, Ball, Strike looking, Happ struck out looking
End of the 4th (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
5TH INNING
Astros
J. Wicks Pitching:
C. McCormick: McCormick grounded out to shortstop
J. Abreu: Abreu flied out to deep right
J. Meyers: Meyers homered to left
J. Altuve: Ball, Altuve singled to shallow left
Y. Alvarez: Strike (foul tip), Foul, Ball, Foul, Ball, Foul, Alvarez popped out to shortstop
Middle of the 5th (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
Cubs
J. France Pitching:
C. Bellinger: Foul, Ball, Ball, Ball, Strike looking, Bellinger flied out to shallow shortstop
M. Busch: Strike looking, Strike looking, Ball, Ball, Foul, Ball, Strike swinging, Busch struck out swinging
C. Morel: Strike looking, Ball, Morel popped out to shortstop
End of the 5th (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
6TH INNING
Astros
J. Wicks Pitching:
K. Tucker: Ball, Foul, Ball, Foul, Ball, Foul, Strike swinging, Tucker struck out swinging
A. Bregman: Strike looking, Ball, Ball, Ball, Bregman grounded out to shortstop
Y. Diaz: Ball, Diaz flied out to right
Middle of the 6th (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 Error)
Cubs
Tayler Scott relieved J.P. France
D. Swanson: Strike looking, Ball, Ball, Ball, Foul, Ball, Swanson walked
M. Tauchman: Foul, Ball, Pickoff attempt, Ball, Strike (foul tip), Foul, Foul, Strike looking, Tauchman struck out looking
M. Mervis: Ball, Mervis reached on catcher's interference, Swanson to second on catcher Diaz fielding error
M. Amaya: Ball, Ball, Foul, Foul, Ball, Ball, Amaya walked, Swanson to third, Mervis to second
N. Hoerner: Ball, Strike looking, Ball, Foul, Foul, Hoerner reached on fielder's choice to second, Swanson scored, Mervis to third, Amaya out at second
I. Happ: Foul, Foul, Ball, Hoerner stole second, Intentional ball, Happ grounded out to first
End of the 6th (1 Run, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
7TH INNING
Astros
Alexander Canario in right field
Mike Tauchman in center field
Ben Brown relieved Jordan Wicks
J. Pena: Strike looking, Foul, Ball, Pena flied out to center
C. McCormick: McCormick lined out to right
J. Abreu: Strike looking, Abreu lined out to second
Middle of the 7th (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
Cubs
Seth Martinez relieved Tayler Scott
A. Canario: Strike (foul tip), Foul, Ball, Strike swinging, Canario struck out swinging
M. Busch: Ball, Ball, Foul, Ball, Strike (foul tip), Strike swinging, Busch struck out swinging
C. Morel: Strike swinging, Strike looking, Ball, Ball, Foul, Ball, Ball, Morel walked
D. Swanson: Strike swinging, Strike swinging, Ball, Pickoff attempt, Strike swinging, Swanson struck out swinging
End of the 7th (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
8TH INNING
Astros
Nick Madrigal at third base
Mark Leiter relieved Ben Brown
J. Meyers: Strike looking, Ball, Meyers popped out to second
J. Altuve: Strike looking, Ball, Ball, Ball, Altuve singled to left
Y. Alvarez: Strike looking, Alvarez reached on fielder's choice to second, Altuve out at second
K. Tucker: Ball, Ball, Ball, Strike looking, Ball, Tucker walked, Alvarez to second
Yency Almonte relieved Mark Leiter
A. Bregman: Foul, Ball, Foul, Ball, Bregman reached on fielder's choice to third, Alvarez out at third
Middle of the 8th (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
Cubs
S. Martinez Pitching:
M. Tauchman: Ball, Strike swinging, Foul, Ball, Ball, Tauchman homered to left center
M. Mervis: Strike swinging, Ball, Ball, Strike swinging, Foul, Mervis grounded out to pitcher
M. Amaya: Foul, Amaya flied out to shallow second
N. Hoerner: Strike swinging, Foul, Foul, Ball, Ball, Ball, Hoerner flied out to center
End of the 8th (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
9TH INNING
Astros
Y. Almonte Pitching:
Y. Diaz: Strike looking, Strike swinging, Ball, Strike swinging, Diaz struck out swinging
J. Pena: Strike looking, Ball, Pena lined out to second
C. McCormick: McCormick grounded out to shortstop
Middle of the 9th (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)

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