The Chicago Cubs defeated the Houston Astros 9-7 on Saturday afternoon behind a big five run 7th inning.

After averaging just 3.5 runs per game to start the season, the Cubs’ offense finally broke out in a huge comeback win that now sets up the possibility of a 3-3 homestand with a win tomorrow.

Cubs starter Jason Marquis got into some trouble in the 1st inning after allowing back-to-back singles to Michael Bourn & Hunter Pence.

Lance Berkman did hit into a double play, but brought in Bourn to score from 3rd base for a 1-0 Houston lead.

The Astros added their 2nd run on an RBI single by Mark Loretta with no outs in the top of the 2nd inning..

Chicago got on the board in the bottom half of the 2nd inning on an RBI double by Jason Marquis, which was set up by Geovany Soto’s triple.

The Cubs tied it 2-2 on Derrek Lee’s solo homer (2nd of season) in the 3rd inning. The Cubs have now homered in 5 straight games to start the 2008 season, which have all been solo shots with the exception of Kosuke Fukudome’s 3-run homer on Opening Day.

Houston took the lead right back on Carlos Lee’s solo homer (2nd of season) in the 4th inning off Marquis.

Derrek Lee made a fielding error to start the 6th inning which would spark a Houston rally. Marquis allowed back-to-back doubles to Darrin Erstad & Carlos Lee which eventually knocked him out of the game.

The Cubs got a huge run on a wild pitch by Astros start Roy Oswalt in the 6th inning, which scored Derrek Lee from 3rd base.

The score would remain 5-3 Houston until the 7th inning & that’s when the Cubs put together their best offensive display (to date) of the 2008 season.

It all started when Ryan Theriot drew a leadoff walk from Oswalt to start the inning. Pinch-hitter Mike Fontenot then singled, which presented the Cubs with an immediate scoring chance.

Alfonso Soriano grounded out to 3rd, but did advance both Theriot & Fontenot up 90 feet with just 1 out.

Reed Johnson then grounded out to shortshop, but was able to score Theriot from 3rd to cut the deficit to 5-4.

The Cubs then started to put on a display of masterful 2-out hitting, which they hope to do many times over the course of the 2008 season.

Derrek Lee continued his huge day with an RBI single, scoring Fontenot from 3rd to tie it 5-5.

After Aramis Ramirez drew a walk to put runners at 1st & 2nd with 2 outs, Kosuke Fukudome continued to build on his impressive first week in the majors with a clutch 2 run double that skipped past a diving Carlos Lee in left field, scoring both Lee & Ramirez to give the Cubs a 7-5 lead.

It didn’t stop there, as Mark DeRosa hit an RBI double off Astros reliever Geoff Geary to make it 8-5.

Houston though did not stop fighting, as they started an immediate rally against Cubs reliever Bob Howry with an Darrin Erstad single & Carlos Lee double to bring Miguel Tejada up as the game-tying run in the 8th inning.

Tejada grounded out to 2nd, which allowed Erstad to score from 3rd & make it an 8-6 game.

Pinch-hitter Geoff Blum then hit an RBI single to center for Houston’s 7th & final run, which prompted Cubs manager Lou Piniella to bring in Carlos Marmol from the bullpen.

Marmol retired his only 2 batters, as he got Mark Loretta to fly out to Kosuke Fukudome in right field & a Brad Ausmus groundout to third base.

The Cubs added a big insurance run on Reed Johnson’s 8th inning RBI single to make it 9-7.

Kerry Wood retired the side in the 9th inning for his 2nd save of the season.

Cubs reliever Kevin Hart gets his first Major League win in 1 & two-thirds of an inning, striking out two & walking none.

Roy Oswalt takes the loss for Houston & is 0-2 to start the season with a 6.00 ERA. For the first time in 25 career appearances against the Cubs, Oswalt failed to strike out a single batter. Maybe it’s time for Astros fans to question whether or not Oswalt is still one of the best aces in the National League.

Derrek Lee enjoyed a big day offensively, as the Cubs’ 1st baseman went 4-4 with 2 singles, 1 double & a solo homer to finish a triple away from the cycle. Lee drove in 2 runs & also scored 3 runs during the huge comeback victory.

It’s the first 4-hit game for Lee since September 22nd, 2007. (Lee went 4-5 during the Cubs’ 9-5 win over Pittsburgh.)

Reed Johnson was impressive in his 1st Cubs start of the season, going 2-5 with 2 RBI’s & will start (according to Lou Piniella in his postgame press conference) again tomorrow in centerfield. I think Johnson is a nice addition to this ballclub & will steal some at bats away from Felix Pie.

The Cubs now have a chance to win their 1st series of the 2008 season & finish their 6 game homestand at 3-3 tomorrow afternoon at 1:20 pm at Wrigley Field.

Ace Carlos Zambrano will take the mound for the Cubs & is seeking his 1st win of the season. Carlos was sharp on Opening Day against Milwaukee, as he pitched over 6 innings of shutout ball & killed a Brewers’ scoring chance by picking off Bill Hall at 2nd base before leaving with forearm cramps.

Zambrano started 3 games against Houston in 2007 & went 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA. Big Z won both of his Wrigley Field starts last season against the Astros.

Houston will counter with righthander Brandon Backe, who has missed a lot of time over the past 3 seasons due to injuries. Backe lost his 1st start of the 2008 season Tuesday in San Diego, as he allowed 5 hits & 2 runs in 5 innings.

Backe made 1 start against the Cubs last season (September 11, 2007) & allowed 4 runs on 6 hits in 5 innings & got a no-decision during Houston’s 5-4 win.

One injury note to report: Astros 1st baseman Lance Berkman left the game in the 4th inning with neck spasms & is questionable for tomorrow’s series finale. Berkman is just 1-6 so far this weekend & will be replaced by Darrin Erstad if he’s unable to play on Sunday.

I’ll be at tomorrow’s game in the left field bleachers so my postgame recap will be online most likely Sunday evening when i return from the ballpark (and hopefully after a Cub win!)

Signing off for now,