Astros vs. Cubs final score: Houston throws combined two-hitter in 3-0 win

The Houston Astros opened their final series of the year with a shutout win over the Chicago Cubs, taking Game 1 of the three game series, 3-0. The Astros threw a combined two-hitter on the efforts of four men.

Fernando Martinez started things off, opening the second inning with a solo home run. That was all Houston could manage that inning, but Martinez helped the Astros offense find their mark again in the fourth. Martinez reached on an infield single, then scored when Matt Dominguez roped a triple to left. Finally, Scott Moore added some insurance in the eighth when he knocked in Brandon Barnes, who had reached on a single.

Lucas Harrell picks up the win for Houston, going six innings while allowing only two hits and striking out seven. With the win he improves to .500 on the season, 11-11. Jose Valdez, Fernando Rodriguez and Wesley Wright all pitched in to close out the game without allowing a further hit.

Game 2 of the series is Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. CT.

Astros vs. Brewers: Houston wins, 7-0, knocks Milwaukee out of playoff contention

The Houston Astros won, 7-0, in Milwaukee on Sunday, knocking the Brewers out of the wild card race.

Astros vs. Brewers: Houston looks to knock Milwaukee out of the playoff picture

The Houston Astros (52-106) take the field on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers (81-77) with a chance to knock Milwaukee out of the 2012 MLB Playoffs.

Astros vs. Brewers: Milwaukee defeats Houston 9-5

Three home runs in the 9th inning weren't enough for the Houston Astros as they fell to the Milwaukee Brewers 9-5.

Astros starter Dallas Keuchel was unable to make it out of the 3^rd inning, as the left-hander allowed seven runs on eight hits with a walk and two strikeouts over 2 1/3 frames. He threw 34 of his 60 pitches for strikes.

Most of the Brewers damage against Keuchel came via the long ball, as third baseman Aramis Ramirez and first baseman Corey Hart went back-to-back to lead off the second inning. Right fielder Norichika Aoki hit a two-run single later in the frame, and Hart homered once again in the 3^rd, this time a three-run shot.

Houston relievers Chuckie Fick, Mickey Storey and Enerio Del Rosario combined to log 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball, but the Astros' bats fell silent through the first eight innings.

Houston was able to avoid the shutout, as left fielder Fernando Martinez and pinch-hitter Brian Bogusevic tallied two-run homers and shortstop Tyler Greene added a solo shot in the 9th, but it was too little, too late for the Astros.

Astros vs. Brewers Lineups: Houston sends Dallas Keuchel to the mound

The Houston Astros look to clinch a series victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wis. Dallas Keuchel (3-7, 4.66 ERA) will be on the mound for the Astros, while Marco Estrada (4-7, 3.87 ERA) takes the ball for the Brewers.

Scott Moore, who has been red-hot over his last five games, is in the No. 2 spot in the lineup for the Astros. Moore is 7 for his last 16 at the plate.

Here are the full lineups:

Astros

1. Jose Altuve 2B
2. Scott Moore RF
3. Brett Wallace 1B
4. Fernando Martinez LF
5. Jason Castro C
6. Matt Dominguez 3B
7. Tyler Greene SS
8. Brandon Barnes CF
9. Dallas Keuchel P

Brewers

1. Norichika Aoki RF
2. Rickie Weeks 2B
3. Ryan Braun LF
4. Aramis Ramirez 3B
5. Corey Hart 1B
6. Jonathan Lucroy C
7. Carlos Gomez CF
8. Jean Segura SS
9. Marco Estrada P

A Milwaukee loss (or a St. Louis win) will eliminate the Brewers from contention, so at the very least, this will be some meaningful baseball for Astros fans to watch. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. CT.

Astros vs. Brewers: Game time, TV schedule and more

The Houston Astros face the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday evening at Miller Park after the Astros opened the weekend series with a 7-6 win on Friday.

Following the loss, the Brewers' faint hopes of catching the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Wild Card race are down to their last strike. One more loss by the Brewers or one more win by the Cardinals will officially eliminate Milwaukee.

The Brewers expect to start right-hander Marco Estrada (4-7, 3.87 ERA) on the mound. In Estrada's last start against the Brewers he gave up seven hits and four runs in four innings but took a no decision in the 6-5 Astros' win.

Houston will try to win their third consecutive game and end Milwaukee's playoff dreams with lefty Dallas Keuchel (3-7, 4.66 ERA) starting on the mound. Keuchel is 0-1 in two starts against the Brewers earlier this season but has won his last two starts heading into tonight's game.

The game is scheduled to start from Miller Park at 6:10 p.m. CT with radio coverage on KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Spanish) and no local television coverage.

Astros vs. Brewers game recap: Houston holds on to defeat Milwaukee, 7-6

The Houston Astros jumped out to an early lead against the Milwaukee Brewers and then held off Milwaukee's comeback attempt to pull out the 7-6 win. The Astros were led by catcher Jason Castro's two solo home runs.

The Astros led 5-1 in the 5th, their largest lead of the night, following back to back home runs by first baseman Brett Wallace and Castro. The Brewers refused to go away quietly as left fielder Ryan Braun drove in 2 runs in the 6th to close the gap. Castro's second homer came in the 8th, giving the Astros a 6-3 lead.

The Brewers answered back in the 8th with Braun being brought home on an Aramis Ramirez triple. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve's ninth-inning solo homer would prove vital, as an error by third basemen Matt Dominguez would allow the Brewers within one run. Astros reliever Wilton Lopez was able to hold on, though, earning his ninth save of the season as he got Norichika Aoki to ground into a game-ending double play.

Astros pitcher Edgar Gonzalez got his third win of the season, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits in just under 6 innings of work.

Astros vs. Brewers lineup: Edgar Gonzalez making his 5th start for Houston

The Houston Astros are doing what they can do finish off this disastrous season when they begin a new series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers have a shot at claiming the second wild card spot as they are four back with six games left, but the odds are stacked against them.

Milwaukee will be doing what they can to keep that playoff hope alive and are starting Yovani Gallardo to go up against the Astros Edgar Gonzalez. Gallardo is the Brewers ace who is 16-8 and will be looking to shutdown the Astros offense, but that should not be too hard. While Gonzalez is only 2-1 and is making only his fifth start for the Astros.

Astros lineup:
1. Jose Altuve 2B
2. Scott Moore RF
3. Jed Lowrie SS
4. Justin Maxwell CF
5. Brett Wallace 1B
6. Jason Castro C
7. Fernando Martinez LF
8. Matt Dominguez 3B
9. Edgar Gonzalez P

Brewers lineup:
1. Norichika Aoki RF
2. Rickie Weeks 2B
3. Ryan Braun LF
4. Aramis Ramirez 3B
5. Corey Hart 1B
6. Martin Maldonado C
7. Carlos Gomez CF
8. Jean Segura SS
9. Yovani Gallardo P

Astros vs. Brewers: Houston can play spoiler to Milwaukee's playoff hopes

The Milwaukee Brewers will be desperate for wins as they host the Houston Astros for a three-game series starting Friday.