CHICAGO (AP) — Mike Tauchman hit his first two homers of the season, and the Chicago Cubs took a five-run first-inning lead in a 7-2 win over Houston on Tuesday night that dropped the Astros 10 games under .500 for the first time since 2016.
Cody Bellinger hit a two-run homer in the first off J.P. France (0-3) and Tauchman hit a three-run drive. Tauchman added a solo homer in the eighth against Seth Martinez and tied his career high of four RBIs.
Bellinger left after the fifth inning with bruised right ribs.
![Houston Astros' José Abreu watches from the dugout during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)](https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/20240423220436-662870ff6013bbf0db2cfadcjpeg.jpg?w=1000)
Houston has lost three straight and six of seven. At 7-17, the last-place Astros are 10 games under .500 for the first time since an 18-28 start in 2016.
Jordan Wicks (1-2) allowed two runs and five hits in a season-high six innings with no walks and four strikeouts. Chicago has won seven of 10.
France (0-3) gave up five runs, five hits and four walks in five innings.
Jake Meyers had a solo homer for Houston.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: LHP Framber Valdez (elbow soreness) could rejoin the rotation this weekend when the club plays a two-game series against Colorado in Mexico City. … RHP Cristian Javier flew to Houston on Tuesday for further evaluation of the neck soreness that landed him on the 15-day injured list.
Cubs: The club placed RHP Kyle Hendricks (low back strain) and LHP Drew Smyly (right hip impingement) on the 15-day injured list and designated INF Garrett Cooper for assignment. Chicago recalled RHP Hayden Wesneski, LHP Luke Little and INF Matt Mervis from Triple-A Iowa. … OF Ian Happ was back in the lineup after missing two straight games with left hamstring tightness.
UP NEXT
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti (0-2, 7.08 ERA) faces fellow RHP Jameson Taillon (1-0, 1.80) on Wednesday, Taillon’s second start this season after recovering from a strained back.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb