Cubs 4, Astros 2

Aramis Ramirez homered to cap a fifth-inning rally, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 4-2 home win over Houston on Friday afternoon.

With the Cubs trailing 2-0, Alfonso Soriano led off the fifth with a solo home run against Bud Norris (5-7). After Starlin Castro tied the game on a sacrifice fly, Ramirez drove a 1-1 pitch into the left-field seats to put Chicago in front for good.

Carlos Zambrano (7-5) worked six innings for the win, scattering nine hits and a walk. Five Chicago relievers combined to hold the Astros to one hit over the final three frames, with newly installed closer Sean Marshall working the ninth inning for his third save.

Norris gave up nine hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out five. Michael Bourn went 3-for-5 with an RBI single and two stolen bases to pace the Houston offense.
Final1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9thRHE
Houston AstrosAstros0101000002100
Chicago CubsCubs000040000480
WP:Carlos Zambrano (CHC)
LP:Bud Norris (HOU)
Season Series
Chi. CubsStatsHouston
8-7Vs7-8
.258Batting Average.273
4.1Runs / Game4.6
15Home Runs15
14Errors11