Cubs Pound Astros

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Aug 6, 2008 9:37PM

The Cubs beat the Houston Astros 11-4 this afternoon on the back of a huge third inning that saw Mark DeRosa blast a grand slam and a three-run shot from Alfonso Soriano. Embattled pitcher Jason Marquis got his first victory in almost a month and a half, giving up four runs over six and one-third inning and helping his own cause by knocking in a run. Sean Marshall and Jeff Samardzija did clean-up duty to secure the win.

It's the Cubs' ninth win in their last 11 games and they're 12-8 since the All-Star break. The team has an off day tomorrow (their first in three weeks) before hosting a three game series with the rival St. Louis Cardinals this weekend.