Cubs outlast Astros, 2-1

HOUSTON (AP) _ Hunter Pence spent most of the All-Star break facing a pitching machine in the batting cage at Minute Maid Park. The extra work produced instant results.

Pence drove in the game-winning run with a double off Bob Howry in bottom of the ninth inning and gave the Houston Astros a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night.

The Astros (45-51) were to host the Cubs on Saturday, then again today at 1 p.m.

The All-Star break came at an inconvenient time for Pence, who hit .281 (9-for-32) in the seven games leading up to it. Instead of relaxing at home, Pence made almost daily trips to the empty ballpark to work on his hitting.

"Basically, I just worked my eye," he said. "I didn't want to swing a whole bunch and tire myself out. I just bunted a whole bunch of sliders and tried to work my eye and get the rhythm because I haven't been hitting them very well.

"I feel a lot better. It definitely gave me some confidence."

Carlos Lee hit a solo homer and Brian Moehler pitched seven effective innings for the Astros, who have won four of their last five games.

The 36-year-old Moehler took the opposite approach to the break from Pence. Rather than focus on baseball, Moehler retreated to a lake house in South Carolina with his family.

"It's like anyone else who works 9-to-5 and goes on vacation. You don't take your work on vacation with you," Moehler said. "I relaxed with my family and just got away from the game."

Miguel Tejada, who played in the All-Star game, led off the Houston ninth with a one-hop, ground-rule double into the seats in right. Pence lined the first pitch he saw from Howry (3-3) to the gap in left center.

Tejada hesitated, then sprinted home, beating the throw from center fielder Jim Edmonds. Pence jumped in the air and pumped his fist at second as the rest of the Astros mobbed Tejada at the plate.

"I was trying to hit a ball up the middle and give myself a chance to, at worst, get him over," Pence said. "For me, the best approach was to try to drive the ball up the middle."

Geoff Geary (2-1) pitched two perfect innings in relief for the win.

Moehler allowed four hits and struck out three in matching his longest start of the season. Edmonds' homer in the fifth was the only blemish on Moehler's performance.