HOUSTON -- Never one to be the least bit satisfied, Astros third baseman
Bregman homered to right field off Cubs starter Jon Lester in the third inning to cut the Cubs’ lead to 3-2, and he hit the first pitch from reliever Brad Brach in the sixth to the same spot in the right-field seats for a two-run homer to break a 6-6 tie.\n\nBregman was more concerned about his two at-bats that resulted in outs. He struck out in the fourth and popped out to first base in the eighth. He also walked and scored in the first inning.\n\n“I’m trying to hit the ball hard,” he said. “I really just want to figure out a four-seam fastball, because I’m popping them out on the infield. I must be leading the league in infield popups. If we can figure that out, then we’ll be on a good track.”
\n\nBregman’s contribution was key considering the Astros were without several impact bats Tuesday. Carlos Correa (ribs), Jose Altuve (legs), George Springer (hamstring) and Aledmys Diaz (hamstring) were all out with an injury, and Josh Reddick wasn’t in the lineup.\n\n• [Setback for Altuve; Correa out with sore ribs](https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/carlos-correa-jose-altuve-injury-updates)\n\n“You have to control what you can control, which is showing up every day and trying to put together good at-bats and trying to make good plays when the ball’s hit your way,” Bregman said. “We’ve got a lot of guys in this clubhouse that can contribute, and we’ve seen that the last two days. Our pitching staff’s done an unbelievable job.”
• [Stubbs makes most of MLB debut with Astros](https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/garrett-stubbs-has-memorable-mlb-debut)\n\nThe two homers tie Bregman with Springer, Eddie Rosario of the Twins and Gary Sanchez of the Yankees for the AL lead, with 17 apiece. They also helped the Astros overcome five Cubs homers -- including three solo shots in the second inning off Astros starter