Cubs vs. Astros - 5/23 (recap)

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05/23/2005 11:30 PM ET
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Rusch wins with Cubs power surge
Burnitz, Patterson provide offense in lefty's third win
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com

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CHICAGO -- Jeromy Burnitz hit a two-run homer, and Corey Patterson added a solo shot to power the Chicago Cubs to a 4-1 victory Monday night over the Houston Astros, now 2-20 on the road.

Glendon Rusch (3-1), making his fourth start of the year, gave up one run on five hits over eight innings, his longest outing of the season. He struck out six.

The Cubs spoiled Wandy Rodriguez's Major League debut. The left-hander gave up four runs on six hits and one walk over 5 2/3 innings.

Jerry Hairston singled to lead off the Cubs first, reached third on a well executed hit-and-run by Neifi Perez, and scored on Derrek Lee's sacrifice fly.

Brad Ausmus tied it with two out in the Astros second on his first home run, but Patterson gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead with his ninth home run to lead off the fifth, launching an 0-1 pitch onto Sheffield Avenue. Patterson entered the game batting .139 against left-handed pitchers.

With a runner at first and two out in the Cubs' sixth, Burnitz launched the first pitch he saw to right for his seventh home run and chased Rodriguez. It was Burnitz's first home run since May 10.

Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[aTrUeCUBsFaN]

Great effort by Glendon Rusch, he has stepped up huge for us. I wish that our offense would score more runs, more small runs. Homers are great, but sometimes, we need to have string a bunch hits together to score runs. We shouldn't rely on the long balls. Great game.