PCA Blasts First Home Run as Cubs Complete Sweep Over Astros

The Chicago Cubs entered action on Thursday with a chance to complete the sweep over the Houston Astros. Thanks to a close win on Wednesday, the pressure was off entering Thursday, but three is always nicer than two. With a much different looking lineup and Javier Assad on the mound, the Cubs needed contributions from everyone to get the job done. 

Tale of the Tape

The Cubs wanted to get away with a series sweep on Thursday over the struggling Astros. However, the visitors struck first. With Jose Altuve at third base in the top of the first, Yordan Alvarez sent a ball deep enough into the outfield for the sacrifice fly, giving Houston a 1-0 lead. 

At first, it appeared to be enough for Houston. The ageless wonder, Justin Verlander, was lights out to begin the ballgame. Although the Cubs threatened with bases loaded in the bottom of the first, Verlander escaped the jam unscathed. 

Luckily for the Cubs, they worked Verlander's pitch count up quickly. In addition, Javier Assad was dealing for the Cubs. After the first-inning run, Houston failed to score the rest of the game. 

Verlander was removed from the game after 95 pitches. Over that span, Verlander went 4.1 innings, giving up three hits and four walks while striking out seven. As for Assad, he went 5.2 innings on just 85 pitches. He allowed four hits and one earned run, along with one walk, while striking out five. Assad lowered his ERA to a flat 2.00 on the season. 

The Cubs were shutout until the sixth inning. With Dansby Swanson and Nick Madrigal on the corners, Miguel Amaya sent a ball to right field, setting up a tough play for Houston outfielder Kyle Tucker. Tucker failed to make the play, scoring Swanson from third. Unfortunately, Madrigal was called out at second on the force, leaving only Amaya on first base. 

In the very next at-bat, magic happened. Searching for his first major-league base hit, Pete Crow-Armstrong smacked a ball to rightfield that continued to carry for his first hit as a big leaguer. The milestone home run gave the Cubs a two-run lead.