Cubs shut out Astros in 2-0 win

[October 02, 2010]  HOUSTON (AP) -- Casey Coleman pitched seven strong innings and drove in a run, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 2-0 win over the Houston Astros on Friday night.

Coleman (4-2) allowed six hits and struck out two, improving to 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA in his last three starts. He also doubled in a run for Chicago, which has won four of five.

Andrew Cashner allowed one hit and struck out one in the eighth before Carlos Marmol pitched a perfect ninth to extend his career high with his 38th save in 43 opportunities. He has converted 17 straight chances and has held opponents scoreless in his last 19 outings.

Bud Norris (9-10) pitched six innings for Houston, yielding two runs and three hits. But the right-hander also issued a career-high seven walks as the Astros lost for the fifth time in six games.

Coleman's two-out hit in the fourth gave Chicago a 2-0 lead. Norris walked Sam Fuld after the double, but Darwin Barney grounded out to end the inning.

Welington Castillo also doubled in a run for Chicago in the second. His drive off the wall in left-center drove in Bobby Scales.

Jason Michaels hit his second double with one out in the seventh but Coleman retired the next two batters to preserve the shutout.

The Astros also had a strong opportunity in the fifth, when they loaded the bases with one out. Coleman then got Norris to ground into a double play.

Hunter Pence hit a two-out infield single in the Houston first and advanced to second when third baseman Scales' throw to first flew over the head of Micah Hoffpauir. A wild pitch sent Pence to third, but Carlos Lee grounded out.

NOTES: Houston LHP Wandy Rodriguez tweaked his back Thursday but was feeling better Friday and the Astros expect him to be ready to start the season finale Sunday. ... Friday was the first time since 2005 that the Cubs have played a regular-season road game in October. The last time they did it was also in Houston. ... Houston manager Brad Mills said he doesn't expect to see CF Michael Bourn play again this season. Bourn has missed the last 11 games with a strained right oblique muscle.

[Associated Press; By KRISTIE RIEKEN]

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