Cubs can't figure out Astros' Myers in 4-0 loss
Pitcher Brett Myers was not in high demand last winter until signing a modest two-year deal with Houston.
The former Philadelphia right-hander turned into quite a bargain. After controlling the Cubs for the third time this season, Myers has thrown at least 6 innings in all 29 of his starts.
The Cubs managed just 3 hits in 7 innings against Myers (11-7) on Wednesday night, ending a long homestand with a quiet 4-0 loss at frigid Wrigley Field. Over his career, Myers is 10-3 against the Cubs with a 2.21 ERA.
"At least he hasn't been tough only on us," Cubs manager Mike Quade said. "He used to be a really big power guy. He's got decent velocity, but he's locating the heck out of it now and sinking the ball in on guys.
"I have to tip my hat. The guy's found a home in Houston and we have to find a way to beat him."
On the other side, Cubs starter Randy Wells also has been consistent, but not in a good way. Giving up 4 runs in 6 innings Wednesday, Wells fell to 6-13 with just 1 victory since July 28.
"I pretty much had to throw what was working tonight," Wells said. "Outside of the sinker and the slider, I didn't have a whole lot to go to.
"Watching the tape, it just came down to not establishing the inside. You become predictable. Guys were leaning out over the plate on me. You have to do something about that, and I didn't."
The Cubs have a bundle of young pitchers on hand because of September call-ups, but Quade is not planning to replace Wells in the rotation.
"We might end up with a six- or seven-man rotation in order to get people work," Quade said. "To our way of thinking, absolutely not. He's going to the post, (Ryan Dempster) is going to the post. Those guys, they're going to do their thing and we'll work the rest of the guys in where we can."
After his latest disappointing performance, Wells still looked forward to getting another chance next week in St. Louis.
"You've got to try to finish on some kind of positive note," he said. "No matter what happens, by far the worst part is sitting and waiting (for the next start). I'm anxious to get the ball again. It's time to get this thing together."
Myers was untouchable until Alfonso Soriano finally broke through with two outs in the fifth inning for the Cubs' first hit.
The Cubs' best chance at actually scoring a run came in the seventh when Tyler Colvin doubled and Geovany Soto singled with one out.
Third-base coach Ivan DeJesus held Colvin at third and Soriano followed with an infield popout after getting ahead 3-0 in the count. The inning ended with a strikeout by pinch hitter Micah Hoffpauir.
Myers was pulled after throwing 101 pitches in 7 innings. The Cubs put two men on in the eighth when Blake DeWitt and Starlin Castro singled with one out. This time, Marlon Byrd hit into a fielder's choice and Xavier Nady struck out to end the inning.
The Cubs posted a 5-4 record in their nine-game homestand, the first with Prospect High School graduate Quade as manager.
"I probably had more fun at home than I did on the road, just because it's great to be here," he said. "I was more relaxed. I'm more comfortable in my surroundings here, that's for sure."
<p class="factboxheadblack">Mike McGraw's game tracker</p>
<p class="News">Astros 4, Cubs 0</p>
<p class="News"><b>Shut down:</b> Houston starter Brett Myers continues to dominate the Cubs. By allowing 3 hits in 7 innings, the former Phillies starter improved to 3-0 against the Cubs this season, 10-3 for his career.</p>
<p class="News"><b>Going to the Wells:</b> Cubs pitcher Randy Wells wasn't awful, but he did give up 4 runs in 6 innings. He's 1-6 since July 28.</p>
<p class="News"><b>Quade cools off: </b>The Cubs failed to win three straight home series for the first time all season and are 9-6 since Mike Quade replaced the retired Lou Piniella as manager.</p>
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