Cubs Come Back After Sutter Blows Save

Beset the injuries to Cesar Cedeno and Terry Puhl, the Astros hitting attack suffers in this series. Houston does manage to come back for an inspiring ninth-inning win in Game One but then shows a lifeless offense in the next two games. Houston is now 32-28, while the surging Cubs move to 29-31.

Game One: Hou 4, Cubs 3

W: Forsch (1-2)
L: Sutter (3-2)
MVP: Lemongello

The Cubs' Ray Burris and 'Stros' Mark Lemongello duel, with the Cubs breaking a 2-2 tie in the seventh when Burris singles and scores on a groundout. But the great Bruce Sutter is not up to the task this time, blowing his third save after a ninth-inning Houston rally. Jose Cruz singles, steals second and scores on a Bob Watson base rap. As importantly, Watson goes to second on the throw to the plate.That leads to a pinch-hit single from Julio Gonzalez to plate Watson and send the Astrodome fans celebrating.

Game Two:  Cubs 7, Hou 3
W: Geisel (1-0)
L: Andujar (10-3)
MVP: Geisel

In his first start of the year, the Cubs' Dave Geisel holds Astros hitters in check through six, showing great control with no walks and a steady diet of grounders. Meanwhile, Cubs bats pound out seven runs on nine hits, battering Joaquin Andujar for six runs, with many Cubs getting into the hitting act. Big blows include doubles by Bill Buckner and Steve Ontiveros.

Game Three: Cubs 1, Hou 0
W: Lamp (5-6)
L: Forsch (1-3)

Chicago's Dennis Lamp throws a complete game five-hitter, with no Astros' runner getting past second base.  He is matched by Tom Dixon, who lowers his ERA to 1.80 in eight innings of shutout ball. In the top of the ninth, Dave "King Kong" Kingman pounds a triple off reliever Ken Forsch and scores the only run when Mick Kelleher chops a single through the middle.