CHICAGO (AP) -- Bud Norris pitched six shutout innings, Jason Castro homered and the Houston Astros beat the Chicago Cubs 3-0 Tuesday night in a matchup of 100-loss teams.
The season-ending series between NL Central clubs marks the first meeting of 100-loss teams in the majors since 1962, when the Cubs played the New York Mets.
Houston (55-106) threw its third straight shutout and won for the fifth time in six games. The Astros have already matched last year's franchise-worst loss total with one game left.
Norris (7-13) scattered four hits and won back-to-back starts for the first time since May.
Norris pitched out of several sticky situations. He put runners in scoring position with less than two out in four consecutive innings but didn't allow any runs to cross home. Norris struck out Luis Valbuena and Welington Castillo with runners on second and third to end a fourth-inning threat.
The 27-year-old endured a 19-start winless stretch before winning his last two. Four Astros relievers held the Cubs hitless over the final three innings. Wilton Lopez worked the ninth for his 10th save in 13 chances.
Jordan Lyles tossed a complete game at Milwaukee on Sunday and Lucas Harrell and three relievers combined to blank the Cubs on Monday.
Chris Volstad (3-12) took the loss for the Cubs, who fell to 60-101.
Castro hit his sixth homer of the year, sending a solo shot into the right-field bleachers with two outs in the second inning. Justin Maxwell reached on shortstop Starlin Castro's 27th blunder of the year following the home run, and came around to score on Tyler Greene's RBI single.
Volstad was otherwise effective, striking out six and walking none in seven innings. He had gone eight innings over his previous two starts without striking out a batter.
Astros pinch-hitter Brian Bogusevic walked and scored on Alberto Cabrera's wild pitch to add an insurance run in the eighth.
The Cubs were blanked for the 16th time this season. It's the second time they have been shutout in back-to-back games, the other instance coming July 21-22 at St. Louis.
NOTES: Astros OF Scott Moore left in the second when he was hurt diving for Castro's shallow popup. The team announced irritation in the AC joint in his left shoulder. ... Astros 2B Jose Altuve left in the fifth with discomfort in his left groin. ... The Astros start Edgar Gonzalez (3-1, 4.15 ERA) on Wednesday in their final game as a National League team. Travis Wood (6-13, 4.39) goes for Chicago. ... Astros interim manager Tony DeFrancesco said he hopes to remain with the team in some capacity after the season. The team has already chosen Washington Nationals third-base coach Bo Porter the manager for 2013. "This has been a very special chapter," DeFrancesco said.
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Former Cubs Pitcher Kerry Wood and his wife Sarah joined Good Day to announce the Wood Family Foundation's first annual Woody Wiffle Ball Classic on August 10 at Wrigley Field!
Former Cubs Pitcher Kerry Wood and his wife Sarah joined Good Day to announce the Wood Family Foundation's first annual Woody Wiffle Ball Classic on August 10 at Wrigley Field!
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:31 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:31:44 GMT
Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ransom hit back-to-back homers in a four-run first inning and that was plenty for Jeff Samardzija, who pitched the Chicago Cubs over the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 Tuesday night.
Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ransom hit back-to-back homers in a four-run first inning and that was plenty for Jeff Samardzija, who pitched the Chicago Cubs over the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 Tuesday night.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:38 AM EDT2013-06-18 04:38:00 GMT
Rookie Shelby Miller pitched five shutout innings and Yadier Molina had a two-run double to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.
Rookie Shelby Miller pitched five shutout innings and Yadier Molina had a two-run double to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.
Sunday, June 16 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-16 21:47:54 GMT
Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a three-run homer that capped a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning and the New York Mets beat Carlos Marmol and the Chicago Cubs 4-3
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Saturday, June 15 2013 11:17 PM EDT2013-06-16 03:17:50 GMT
Scott Feldman allowed two hits in seven innings and Starlin Castro hit a two-run double to left in the Cubs' three-run eighth inning and Chicago beat the New York Mets 5-2 on Saturday.
Scott Feldman allowed two hits in seven innings and Starlin Castro hit a two-run double to left in the Cubs' three-run eighth inning and Chicago beat the New York Mets 5-2 on Saturday.
Thursday, June 13 2013 11:10 PM EDT2013-06-14 03:10:10 GMT
Pinch-hitter Julio Borbon had a two-out RBI single in the 14th inning, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Reds 6-5 Thursday and end Cincinnati's record 12-game winning streak at Wrigley Field.
Pinch-hitter Julio Borbon had a two-out RBI single in the 14th inning, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Reds 6-5 Thursday and end Cincinnati's record 12-game winning streak at Wrigley Field.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 12:03 AM EDT2013-06-12 04:03:19 GMT
The Chicago Cubs have suspended Triple-A infielder Ian Stewart without pay for an indefinite period following his critical comments about the organization.
The Chicago Cubs have suspended Triple-A infielder Ian Stewart without pay for an indefinite period following his critical comments about the organization.
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