Berkman, Paulino pace Astros over Cubs

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06/04/2010 - Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lance Berkman paced the offense with three hits and two runs batted in, while Felipe Paulino tossed eight solid innings, as the Houston Astros took down the Chicago Cubs, 3-1, in the opener of a three- game series at Minute Maid Park.

Paulino (1-7) allowed one run on five hits to pick up his first win in 11 starts this season for the Astros, who have won four in a row. Matt Lindstrom recorded his 12th save of the year.

Michael Bourn went 3-for-4 with two runs scored for Houston, which got an RBI and run scored from Jeff Keppinger.

Marlon Byrd drove in the lone run for the Cubs, who have dropped four straight.

Carlos Zambrano (1-4) gave up three runs on six hits in a 4 1/3-inning start to take the loss. It was his first start since being shifted to the bullpen in late April.

The Astros drew first blood with a run in the first. Bourn singled, moved to second on Keppinger's groundout, and scored on Berkman's base hit to left. Houston went on to strand the bases loaded.

Chicago loaded the bases in the third, but Aramis Ramirez fouled out to end the threat.

The Cubs finally got on the board in the top of the fifth. Starlin Castro led off with a single and crossed the plate on Byrd's double to make it 1-1.

The Astros responded with two runs in the home half to take back the lead. Bourn hit a one-out single, stole second, and scored on Keppinger's base hit up the middle. Tom Gorzelanny then relieved Zambrano and gave up a run-scoring double to Berkman. Houston failed to score more runs after loading the bases, but held a 3-1 margin.

Game Notes

Houston took two of three from the Cubs when these teams squared off in Chicago from April 16-18, but dropped five of eight tilts between the clubs held at Minute Maid Park last season...The Cubs fell to 3-23 this season when scoring three runs or fewer...The Astros improved to 4-28 this year when scoring three runs or fewer...Zambrano dropped to 13-8 lifetime versus Houston...Wednesday's postponed game between the Pirates and Cubs will be made up this Monday, June 7 in Pittsburgh.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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