The Astros couldn't get anything going against the Cubs and Bud Norris' return wasn't exactly glorious on Friday afternoon when Houston was shut out at Wrigley Field, 4-0. Chicago came into this game with the worst record in the division, as the only team behind the Astros.
But it was the Cubs in front on Friday, led by Paul Maholm on the mound where he allowed just four hits over 8 1-3 innings in his 200th major league start.
Luis Valbuena hit a solo shot off Norris in the second inning. Steve Clevenger two-run blast in the fourth for his first major league home run, and Alfonso Soriano homered in the sixth.
Brian Bixler and Carlos Lee had hits in the ninth that showed a late rally for the Stros, but this one was in the books once that rally failed.
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