Astros 3, Cubs 0
Lucas Harrell pitched six scoreless innings and visiting Houston handed Chicago its 100th loss.
Fernando Martinez homered for the third consecutive game as the Astros won for the fourth time in five contests and dealt the Cubs their eighth defeat in the last nine.
Harrell (11-11) struck out seven and allowed two hits to win for the first time since Aug. 14. He retired the last nine batters he faced. Wesley Wright got the final four outs for his first save
After Martinez opened the scoring with a solo shot in the second inning, Matt Dominguez delivered a two-out RBI triple in the fourth to plate Martinez for a 2-0 lead. Scott Moore added an RBI single in the eighth.
Cubs starter Jason Berken (0-3) gave up two runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings to remain winless in four starts since being claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Harrell ended his season with 193 2/3 innings, the most among rookies this season and the third-highest total in franchise history. ... Chicago's Starlin Castro played in his 159th game at shortstop this season, matching the franchise record set by Ivan DeJesus in 1978 and 1979. ... Martinez's homer was the 12th hit by the Astros in the last four games.