Cubs hope to extend Central lead in finale with 'Stros

Sep 13, 2007, 14:41 GMT

- The Chicago Cubs are back on top in the NL Central and will close out a three-game series this evening against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field.

After losing the series opener on Tuesday, the Cubs rebounded with a 3-2 victory last night. Chicago starter Rich Hill allowed one run in seven innings to lead the way and help his club back to the top spot in the division. Hill fanned seven batters and walked three, while Bob Howry pitched a scoreless eighth and Ryan Dempster recorded his 26th save in the ninth inning.

Cliff Floyd was 2-for-4 with a home run and scored twice, as the Cubs won for the third time in their last five games.

Steve Trachsel will make his third start in a Chicago uniform since being acquired from Baltimore in late August. Trachsel is 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA in his two starts with the Cubs and winless over the past four trips to the hill.

Trachsel, who went 6-10 with a 4.78 earned run average in 27 starts with the Orioles, suffered the loss on Sunday at Pittsburgh after giving up six run in only two innings of work.

In 18 career starts against Houston, the right-hander is 7-7 with a 4.80 ERA.

The Astros have dropped eight of their last 10 games. Starter Matt Albers absorbed the loss, going six innings and yielding three earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

Mark Loretta finished 3-for-3 with a home run and rookie Hunter Pence ended with two hits in a losing effort.

Taking the ball for Houston on Thursday will be Woody Williams, who is 8-14 with a 4.93 ERA in 31 games (30 starts) this season. Williams is winless in his previous three starts (0-2) and was beaten by the New York Mets the last time out on Saturday.

Williams permitted three runs in six innings of a 3-1 setback at Shea Stadium. The righty is 4-9 with a 4.15 earned run average in 20 career games (19 starts) against Chicago.

The 2007 season series between Chicago and Houston is tied at 7-7. The Astros posted a three-game sweep of Chicago at home from August 6-8 this season.

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