Back in the nineties, Nike ran ads featuring Michael Jordan doing superman things with the tagline, “It must be the shoes.”
Super Christian Walker has arguably single-handedly won two games for the Stros with three homers in his last two games, including a three-run shot today. It must be the mustache.
But he wasn’t quite alone. The Astros struck first in the second inning on a Jake Meyers solo homer off Cubs starter Shota Imanaga, his second of the year.
The Cubs made Astros fans doubt the apparent renaissance of out-of-nowhere starter Peter Lambert. A walk, a single, a Pedro Ramirez double, a sac fly, and a Nico Hoerner two-out RBI single gave the Cubs a 3-1 lead.
The Astros gained back a run thanks to a most unlikely source, Nick Allen, who hit his first home run in 428 career at-bats in the third.
The Astros forged ahead with authority in the fifth with a five-spot. A two-run, two-out, bases-loaded pop single by Jeremy Pena started the scoring, followed by Christian Walker’s three-run homer deep into the left-center bleachers, his third in two games and 14th of the season.
More superb Astros ‘ defense was on display today. Shortstop Pena saved a run in the fourth inning on this snag of a bullet up the middle.
Peter Lambert left the game after five innings with a 7-3 lead. It was a bend-but-not-break kind of performance. He allowed five hits and -uncharacteristically – four walks, with five Ks. It was good enough for the win with the Alvarezless Astros bats, nonetheless, switched to the on position.
A.J. Blubaugh gave the Astros two sharp innings, except for one mistake, a two-run homer to Michael Busch.
A two-out Allen RBI single in the ninth, following a Christian Vazquez sacrifice bunt, gave the Astros their eighth run.
Bryan Abreu and Nate Pearson held the Cubbies in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, holding the 8-5 win, but they wouldn’t be Astros relievers without some drama, each allowing leadoff walks.
The Astros travel to South Oklahoma to take on the Rangers tomorrow, Memorial Day, at 6:10 CT.
A very improbable and satisfying sweep.
I think this constitutes a win streak. Also, Lambert had an amazing bounce back to give us 5 today and in the game. Good DNA for our staff
7 walks! Brutal!