Major League Baseball

Oswalt hurt, but Astros still end Cubs' win streak

Published Jul. 29, 2009 9:02 a.m. ET

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With ace Roy Oswalt's status uncertain because of an injury, Miguel Tejada and the Houston Astros found little joy in their decisive victory over the rival Cubs.

Geoff Blum hit a tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning and Tejada connected and had a season-high five RBIs, helping the Astros overcome an early exit for Oswalt because of a strained back to beat Chicago 11-6 on Tuesday night.

Jeff Keppinger had four hits and drove in three runs as the Astros snapped the Cubs five-game winning streak and ended their own three-game losing streak.


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"To lose him (Oswalt) at this point of the year is not a good idea. Everybody is crossing their fingers that he will be OK in a couple of days," said Tejada.

Oswalt pitched a scoreless first inning then struck out the first two batters he faced in the second. After throwing a 1-1 pitch to Alfonso Soriano, catcher Ivan Rodriguez noticed something was wrong with Oswalt and met with him on the mound. He then waved for Astros manager Cecil Cooper and a team trainer. Oswalt has a strained lower back.

Moments later, Cooper called left-handed reliever Wesley Wright to replace Oswalt, who left with the Astros leading 1-0.

Oswalt said he felt pain in his back in the last inning he worked in his last start against the Cardinals on July 22. He then experienced pain in a bullpen session two days later, but still felt he could make Tuesday' start against the Cubs.

"I know I shouldn't blow it all the way out. It was not to the point that I could have thrown knuckleballs to make it through one or two innings," said Oswalt, who is flying to Houston on Wednesday. Oswalt was unsure if he will be getting an MRI on his back.

Oswalt had won his three previous decisions and was 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA in his last eight starts.

After the game, Wright was rushed to Northwestern Hospital by ambulance after experiencing discomfort in an area around his appendix.

Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run homer for the Cubs, which dropped a half game behind St. Louis in the NL Central.

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