Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Randy Wells earned his first victory in more than three months, while Geovany Soto homered and drove in two runs, as Chicago downed Houston, 5-1, in the middle test of a three-game series from Wrigley Field.
Wells (2-3) allowed five hits and one run, fanning four and walking two over six innings en route to his first positive decision since an April 4 win over Arizona.
Marlon Byrd also hit a solo shot and Starlin Castro knocked in a run for the Cubs, who have taken the first two in the set after dropping six of their previous eight.
Carlos Lee finished 3-for-4 and drove in the lone run for the Astros, who have dropped four of six.
Wandy Rodriguez (6-7) took the loss despite yielding only two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts in seven full frames.