Houston, TX (My Sportsbook) - Carlos Lee crushed a decisive three-run homer, and Shawn Chacon posted his first win of the season after hurling seven strong innings in the Houston Astros' 5-3 clipping of the Chicago Cubs to earn a series win at Minute Maid Park.

Chacon (1-0) allowed three runs on five hits and a walk while fanning five for the Astros, putting to rest his major league-record nine consecutive no- decisions by a starter to open a season. Jose Valverde tossed a scoreless ninth -- striking out two -- to earn his 14th save. The Astros closer has compiled a 17 2/3 scoreless innings streak, trailing only Philadelphia's Cole Hamels (19) for the longest active such streak in the majors. Valverde has also converted 12 consecutive save opportunities.

Miguel Tejada and Geoff Blum each drove in a run for Houston, which has triumphed in three of its last four and nine of 13. Michael Bourn finished 3-for-5 with a triple, run scored and a stolen base.

Derrek Lee launched a two-run homer for the Cubs, who have dropped back-to- back contests after winning five of six. Geovany Soto added an RBI, and Micah Hoffpauir recorded two doubles and scored once.

Chicago won the first series of the campaign between the squads, 2-1, at Wrigley Field during the opening week of the season, only now to have the trend reversed.

Sean Gallagher (1-1) absorbed the loss in his first career road start, surrendering eight hits and five runs while striking out four over 4 2/3 innings. The Chicago bullpen kept the game close, working 3 1/3 scoreless stanzas.

The Cubs attacked early, crossing the plate three times in the first frame. Kosuke Fukudome drew a one-out walk, and Lee followed by blasting a home run to left. Then, after an Aramis Ramirez ground out, Hoffpauir and Soto drilled back-to-back doubles.

Houston surged ahead 4-3 in the third, as Tejada singled home Bourn -- who singled and swiped second to start the stanza -- and Carlos Lee crushed a one- out, three-run homer over the left field fence.

The Astros extended the advantage to 5-3 in the fifth when Blum's base hit plated Lance Berkman, who reached base after being plunked and then proceeded to move himself into scoring position with a stolen base.

Chicago never once threatened the Houston lead, unable to move a runner past second base after its initial at-bat. Only one Cub even arrived safely at second during the last eight frames, as Hoffpauir doubled to lead off the seventh.

Game Notes

Houston welcomes Philadelphia on Thursday for the first of a four-game set, with its ace, Roy Oswalt (4-4), scheduled to toe the rubber against Kyle Kendrick (3-2)...After a day off Thursday, Chicago travels to Pittsburgh for a three-game series that begins on Friday...Derrek Lee's home run gave him 249 for his career...Tejada has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games and 23 of 25 dating back to April 25...Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa went 0-for-3, snapping a career-high 11-game hit streak.