The Chicago Cubs’ repeated wasted scoring chances came back to haunt them, as the Houston Astros’ 3-run 12th inning lifted them to a 4-3 win on Wednesday afternoon from Wrigley Field.

Houston presented themselves with an immediate scoring chance in the 1st after Jason Bourgeois hit a lead-off single against Chicago starter Ted Lilly.

Bourgeois then stole 2nd base during Angel Sanchez’s at-bat, who flied out to Kosuke Fukudome in right field.

Lance Berkman also flied out to Fukudome, as it advanced Sanchez to 3rd base.

That left it up to Hunter Pence, who struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Cubs then had a chance to take the lead in the 4th after Derrek Lee hit a lead-off single against Astros starter Brett Myers.

3 batters later, Kosuke Fukudome drew a 2-out walk to put runners on 1st & 2nd for Koyie Hill.

Hill struck out swinging to end the scoring chance.

Chicago then struck gold in the 5th, which started after Ted Lilly broke an 0-for-26 slump with a 1-out single off Myers.

2 batters later, Starlin Castro hit an RBI double to left, which scored Lilly from 1st base & gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead.

Derrek Lee then drew a 2-out walk, which put runners on 1st & 2nd for Aramis Ramirez.

Ramirez popped out to Lance Berkman in shallow right field to end the inning.

The Astros got even in the 8th, as Pedro Feliz greeted Lilly with a lead-off pinch-hit solo homer (4th of season) to tie it 1-1.

The Cubs had a shot to go ahead in their half of the 8th, as Aramis Ramirez hit a 2-out single off Astros closer Matt Lindstrom & advanced to 2nd base.

That left it up to Marlon Byrd, who grounded out to Pedro Feliz at 3rd to end the inning.

Chicago then had a chance to win it in the 9th, as Kosuke Fukudome hit a lead-off single against Lindstrom.

Fukudome then took 2nd base during Koyie Hill’s at-bat, who struck out swinging.

Ryan Theriot singled, which put runners on 1st & 3rd for pinch-hitter Alfonso Soriano.

Soriano hit a flyout to Michael Bourn in shallow centerfield, as it wasn’t deep enough to score Fukudome from 3rd base.

Theriot then took 2nd base during Tyler Colvin’s at-bat, who struck out to end the inning.

The Cubs had another chance to win it in the 10th after Starlin Castro hit a lead-off double against Astros reliever Brandon Lyon.

Derrek Lee then hit a sharp lineout to Michael Bourn in centerfield, but advanced Castro to 3rd on the play.

Aramis Ramirez & Marlon Byrd then both drew walks, which loaded the bases for Kosuke Fukudome.

Fukudome struck out swinging, which left it up to Geovany Soto.

Soto hit a shallow flyout to Carlos Lee in left field to end the scoring chance.

Chicago put together another great rally in the 11th, which began after Ryan Theriot reached on a lead-off bunt single against Houston reliever Brandon Lyon.

Mike Fontenot then laid down a sac bunt, which advanced Theriot to 2nd base with just 1 out for Tyler Colvin.

Colvin was intentionally walked despite an 0-for-5 game, which put runners on 1st & 2nd for Starlin Castro.

Castro flied out to Michael Bourn in centerfield, but advanced Theriot to 3rd base with 2 outs.

That left it up to Derrek Lee, who flied out to Hunter Pence in right field to end the inning.

Houston then went ahead for good in the top of the 12th, as Jeff Keppinger & Chris Johnson greeted Chicago reliever Bob Howry with back-to-back singles.

Jason Castro reached on a fielder’s choice, but Keppinger was forced out at 3rd base.

Michael Bourn then grounded out to Ryan Theriot at 2nd base, but advanced both Johnson & Castro into scoring position.

That brought up Jason Michaels, who hit a 2-run double off Jeff Stevens to clear the bases & give the Astros a 3-1 lead.

Angel Sanchez immediately followed with an RBI single, which scored Michaels from 2nd & made it a 4-1 game.

The Cubs had one last rally chance in their half of the 12th, as Kosuke Fukudome drew a 2-out walk from Astros reliever Gustavo Chacin.

Gevaony Soto made it closer with a 2-run homer (13th of season) to make it a 4-3 game.

Ryan Theriot then singled before Jeff Baker drew a walk, which brought up Tyler Colvin.

Colvin hit a sharp lineout, but right to Hunter Pence in right field to end the game.

Brandon Lyon (6-4) gets the win after pitching 2 scoreless innings out of the Houston bullpen despite giving up three walks.

Bob Howry (1-3) takes the loss for Chicago after being charged with Jason Michaels’ pinch-hit 2-run double in the 12th inning.

Gustavo Chacin gets his 1st save of the season despite allowing Geovany Soto’s 2-run homer in the 12th inning, as he retired Tyler Colvin with the potential game-tying run on 2nd base.

The Cubs will enjoy an off-day on Thursday and welcome their rival St. Louis Cardinals into town on Friday, as Randy Wells (4-7, 4.33) will pitch against Jeff Suppan (0-5, 6.05).

Wells has a 1.66 ERA in 3 July starts, but failed to record an out in his May 28th start against the Cardinals as he allowed 5 runs on 6 hits during the Cubs’ 7-1 loss.

Suppan has pitched decent since joining St. Louis (4.20 ERA in 6 starts), but is 6-10 lifetime against the Cubs in 25 career starts against them with a 3.95 ERA.

Signing off for now,

Matt T for Cubshub.com