The fifth inning changed everything. Houston turned a 3-2 deficit into a commanding lead with four runs, powering past Chicago 8-5 at Wrigley Field.
Nick Allen sparked the Astros with a 3-for-3 performance that included a home run and two RBIs. Christian Walker delivered the decisive blow with a three-run homer to left center that capped the fifth-inning rally. Walker finished 1-for-4 with three RBIs, extending his season totals to 14 home runs and 37 RBIs.
The Cubs had seized a 3-1 lead in the second inning on three consecutive scoring plays. Ramirez doubled home Ballesteros, Crow-Armstrong followed with a sacrifice fly to score Kelly, and Hoerner singled home Ramirez. But Houston answered with Peña's two-run single in the fifth before Walker's 426-foot blast put the game away. Allen added an insurance run in the ninth with an RBI single.
Shota Imanaga absorbed the loss for Chicago, allowing seven runs over six innings with six strikeouts. His ERA stands at 4.18. Peter Lambert earned the victory for Houston, working five innings and allowing three runs despite four walks. Nate Pearson recorded his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.
The victory extended Houston's winning streak to two games, improving to 22-31. Chicago's losing streak reached seven games, dropping to 29-23.