Lee has two homers as Astros down Cubs 8-1

HOUSTON (AP) - Carlos Lee hit two home runs, including the

go-ahead homer in the sixth inning, and the Houston Astros went on

to an 8-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

The game was tied at 1 before Lee connected for his 13th homer

of the year, a two-run shot to left field. His second one, also to

left field, scored Lance Berkman and pushed the lead to 5-1 in the

seventh inning.

Astros starter Bud Norris (3-7) allowed four hits, an unearned

run and struck out seven in six innings for his first win since May

13.

Hunter Pence added three hits and drove in a pair of runs for

Houston.

The Astros had managed just one hit before the sixth inning.

Berkman walked before Pence hit a double that landed in the left

field corner and scored Berkman to tie it 1-1.

Then came Lee's homer that scored Pence and gave Houston the

lead.

Cubs starter Randy Wells (5-8) had pitched 19 consecutive

scoreless innings before Pence's RBI. Wells allowed five hits and

three runs in 5 2-3 innings. He was replaced by James Russell, who

got one out.

Ryan Theriot singled to lead off the first inning before Starlin

Castro reached on an error. Norris walked Tyler Colvin to load the

bases before a sacrifice fly by Aramis Ramirez scored Theriot and

made it 1-0.

Wells didn't allow a hit until a single by Pence with one out in

the fourth inning. He got out of that inning unscathed by retiring

Lee before Chris Johnson grounded into a force out and rookie Jason

Castro struck out.

Jason Bourgeois hit his first career triple in the eighth inning

and scored on a single by Angel Sanchez to make it 6-1. Pence

stretched the lead to 7-1 with a run-scoring single later in that

inning and Berkman also scored in the eighth on a wild pitch.

Norris was hobbled for a couple of minutes in the fifth inning

when he jumped and landed on first base awkwardly while making a

tag. His right foot seemed to be bothering him, but he remained in

the game after talking to team trainers for a bit.

Johnson, a rookie, singled in the seventh inning to extend his

hitting streak to 12 games.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella rested starters Derrek Lee, Marlon

Byrd and Alfonso Soriano on Wednesday, but Soriano pinch hit in the

ninth inning.

NOTES: Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano will travel to Denver on

Thursday and join the team Friday before Chicago's series with the

Rockies. Piniella said Zambrano will address the team in a meeting

before Friday's game in his return after a dugout tirade more than

a month ago. ... Chicago C Geovany Soto was out of the lineup for

the second straight day after leaving Monday's game in the sixth

inning after fouling a ball off his left foot. He has a bruised

foot, but Piniella said he should be ready to play Friday. ...

Houston RHP Jeff Fulchino, on the disabled list with right elbow

tendinitis, gave up two hits in a scoreless inning in his second

rehabilitation appearance for Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday. ...

Astros INF Geoff Blum, on the disabled list after arthroscopic

surgery on his right elbow, could begin a rehabilitation assignment

on Sunday.

By KRISTIE RIEKEN-AP Sports Writer

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)