Rookie Steve Trachsel and Astros veteran Doug Drabek locked up in a magnificent pitchers’ duel Friday night. And the kid won.
Trachsel pitched 8 1/3 innings of six-hit ball, struck out six and shut out the Astros until the bottom of the eighth of a 3-2 Cubs’ victory. The victory was the third in the last four starts for Trachsel, who is 7-5 with a 3.68 earned-run average. He is 3-2 with a 2.00 ERA in his last five outings.
Randy Myers earned his 17th save by getting the final two outs, but not before he gave up a double and allowed an inherited runner to score.
Drabek (10-5) gave up three runs and struck out six in eight innings.
Slamming Sammy: Right-fielder Sammy Sosa snapped an 0-for-6 slide with his 17th homer of the season in the second inning.
Streak over: Despite driving in the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth, Shawon Dunston had his season-high 11-game hitting streak snapped. He was 0 for 3.