Well the Cubs aren’t going to go undefeated in 2009 as they lost the second game of the season on Tuesday night to the Houston Astros. Neal Cotts gave up back to back singles to open the 10th inning and then Kevin Gregg was called upon to get the Cubs out of the inning but that isn’t how things turned out. Gregg was able to get Jason Michaels out on a fly ball to center but both runners tagged up. First base was open and the Cubs elected to intentionally walk Miguel Tejada which brought Jeff Keppinger to the plate. Keppinger ended the game when he singled to left field and Ivan Rodriguez scored.

The Cubs just didn’t have the offense going as they struggled early on against Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez. As a team they only had six hits in the game. Ryan Theriot led the team with two hits while Alfonso Soriano had a solo home run. Soriano’s shot to left field in the 8th inning tied the game up at 2-2. Derrek Lee had the other rbi for the Cubs when he singled in Theriot in the 3rd inning.

I thought starting pitcher Ryan Dempster threw the ball good for his first outing of the season. He went six innings while only giving up six hits and two runs. He did walk three batters however and struck out five.

Angel Guzman did a great job in the seventh inning as he didn’t allow a hit. The only base runner for the Astros in the 7th inning was Kaz Matsui who reached on an error by Theriot. Koyie Hill picked Theriot up when he gunned down Matsui who attempted to steal second base however.

Hill was in the game because Geovany Soto left the game in the sixth inning with soreness in his right shoulder. Soto said that he should be back in a few days as he just needs to keep up on his exercises which help out his shoulder.

The Cubs and Astros will finish up the three game series Wednesday night. It will be Ted Lilly on the mound for the Cubs and Brian Moehler for the Astros.

Photo via AP/Pat Sullivan