The Cubs scored three runs in the top of the ninth on Lance Berkman‘s two base error and Octavio Dotel‘s dubious pitching as the Cubs downed the fading Stros for the second straight night on Tuesday, 4-2.
The Stros wasted the second straight solid pitching performance by Wade Miller, who gave up only a run on four hits, one walk and struck out six in six and a third innings. The Cubs’ Carlos Zambrano was just as good, cuffing the Stros to two runs on six hits over six frames. Ensberg plated a couple of runs in the sixth to give the Stros a 2-1 lead, which they held to the fateful ninth when things quickly spiraled out of control.
Berkman’s two base error led off the frame, and then Dotel proceeded to give up three more hits and three runs (none earned because of the Berkman error) before the carnage was over.
Tim Redding, who is quickly fading from mediocrity to awful, takes the hill for the Stros in the Wednesday night game against Greg Maddux. The Stros are now 32-30 and in fifth place in the NL Central. A promising season is quickly fading away.