Bregman's homer lifts Astros over Cubs 6-4; Bellinger hurt
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 15: Cody Bellinger #24 of the Chicago Cubs is joined by Seiya Suzuki #27 after being injured on a catch during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on May 15, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen
HOUSTON - Alex Bregman hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning to power the Houston Astros to a 6-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.
Houston led 4-0 after the first inning, but Christopher Morel slugged a three-run homer as the Cubs tied it by scoring four in the fourth.
It was still knotted at 4-4 when Mauricio Dubón singled with two outs in the seventh.
Bregman then launched his homer off Michael Fulmer (0-3) to left field.
Yordan Alvarez walked after that before Cody Bellinger was injured when he robbed Kyle Tucker of extra bases with an acrobatic catch to end the inning.
Bellinger leaped and crashed into the padded wall just in front of the Houston bullpen to make the grab. The 2019 National League MVP appeared to turn his left ankle when he landed and crumpled to the ground.
Right fielder Seiya Suzuki immediately motioned for help and a trainer came to check on Bellinger. After a couple of minutes, he slowly got to his feet and walked gingerly off the field. He was replaced in the lineup by Miles Mastrobuoni.
Dubón had three hits, José Abreu drove in two runs with a double and Alvarez singled to extend his career-best hitting streak to 12 games for the Astros, who have won five of six.
Houston starter Framber Valdez allowed seven hits and four runs in four innings. He couldn't build on his last start, in which he gave up three hits and one run while striking out 12 in eight innings at the Los Angeles Angels.
Rafael Montero (1-3) pitched a scoreless seventh and Héctor Neris got his second save by striking out two in a scoreless ninth.
Jameson Taillon yielded seven hits and four runs in 4 2/3 innings in his third start since returning from a left groin strain.
Dubón hit a leadoff single before a one-out single by Alvarez. There were two outs when Abreu doubled to left to make it 2-0. Jeremy Peña then smacked a single to left to send Abreu home.
The Astros made it 4-0 when Chas McCormick doubled to left to score Peña.
Bellinger got things going for Chicago in the fourth with a single before a single by Trey Mancini with one out sent him to third. Bellinger scored on a sacrifice fly by Yan Gomes.
Nick Madrigal singled before Morel's homer, which bounced off the left field wall and tied it at 4-all.
Dubón and Bregman hit consecutive singles to start Houston's fifth. But Alvarez grounded into a double play that left Dubón out at home before Tucker was retired on a flyball to end the inning.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cubs: RHP Brad Boxberger was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Sunday, with a right forearm strain. RHP Jeremiah Estrada was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take his spot on the roster. … RHP Adrian Sampson was transferred to the 60-day IL.
Astros: 2B Jose Altuve, who has been out all season after fracturing his right thumb in the World Baseball Classic, will continue his rehabilitation by joining Double-A Corpus Christi Tuesday. Altuve went 1 for 13 in three games this weekend for Triple-A Sugar Land. Manager Dusty Baker said Altuve was feeling good but had yet to get his timing back.
SPECIAL GUESTS
Rapper Travis Scott took batting practice and visited with the team before the game. Scott, who is from suburban Houston, wore one of Houston's Space City jerseys with his nickname "La Flame" on the back.
New Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Ryans, a former linebacker for Houston, was hired to replace Lovie Smith in January.
UP NEXT
Chicago's Justin Steele (6-0, 1.82 ERA) looks to improve to 7-0 when he starts against Cristian Javier (3-1, 3.47) on Tuesday night.