WAITING FOR WESTBROOK

Now we know why Russell Westbrook hasn't made the trip to Orlando

Now we know why Russell Westbrook hasn't made the trip to Orlando
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images.

There's been speculation that the reason James Harden and Russell Westbrook have not joined the team in Orlando was because the players might have tested positive for COVID-19. Now we know that is indeed the case for Russell Westbrook. Westbrook went to Twitter on Monday and said he tested positive but is feeling well.

Earlier Monday morning Colin Cowherd and Joy Taylor talked about Harden and Westbrook remaining in Houston and had a conversation about what could be keeping them in H-Town. We now have the answer when it comes to Westbrook, and we'll see if news comes out about Harden next. You can watch Cowherd and Taylor's conversation about the Rockets below.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
The Astros beat the Cubs, 7-4. Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images.

Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first game against the Cubs since being traded to Houston and Brandon Walter threw six solid innings in his first MLB victory as the Astros beat Chicago 7-4 on Friday night.

Yainer Diaz added a three-run homer as AL West-leading Houston extended its winning streak to five games.

The Astros scored four runs in the third off Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-2), with Jose Altuve scoring on a sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini before Diaz capped the inning with his 377-foot shot to left-center.

Smith, a first-round draft selection by Chicago last year was acquired by the Astros in the offseason as part of the deal for Kyle Tucker, extended Houston’s lead to 7-0 in the fourth with his home run off the left field façade, his sixth of the season. Smith had two hits and scored two runs.

Walter (1-1), a 28-year-old left-hander, allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Josh Hader got the final out for his 22nd save.

Jeremy Peña exited in the fifth with left rib soreness. He was hit by a pitch in his left side in the second. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury.

Nico Hoerner hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Matt Shaw added a two-run double in the seventh and an RBI double in the ninth for NL Central-leading Chicago.

Horton allowed seven runs on eight hits with four walks in four innings.

Tucker was hitless in his return to Houston. He kept the game scoreless in the first, throwing Isaac Paredes out at the plate to end the frame.

Key moment

Hader inducing a lineout to center by Ian Happ to end it with Tucker, representing the tying run, on deck.

Key stat

Houston has its second five-game winning streak for the month of June, and improved to an MLB-best 18-6 this month.

Up next

Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4-3, 4.42 ERA) starts the second game of the three-game series Saturday. Houston has not named a starter.

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome