HOUSTON (AP) — Rookie Alex Bregman homered, Collin McHugh combined with his bullpen on a two-hitter and the Houston Astros beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 Saturday as they tried to gain ground in the AL wild card race.Marwin Gonzalez drove in a run with a third inning squeeze bunt for the Astros, who began the day 2 1/2 games back for the AL’s second wild card.
Bregman put the Astros ahead with an opposite-field home run to right-center against John Lackey (9-8) in a two-run third. After starting 1 for 34 following hus July 25 callup, Bregman has eight home runs all since Aug. 16. He went 2 for 4 and raised his average to .274 with 31 RBIs.
McHugh (10-10) won his third straight decision, allowing one run and two hits in five innings. Chris Devenski, Will Harris, Luke Gregerson and Ken Giles combined for hitless relief.
