David J. Phillip/AP Photos
HOUSTON – Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon’s pitch count was already climbing after facing one batter.
In the Cubs’ 2-0 loss, Astros leadoff hitter Isaac Paredes battled for 12 pitches, managing a bloop single into shallow right field after eight foul balls.
“Made some big pitches the rest of that inning,” manager Craig Counsell said. “And then I thought he got it going, really good, actually.”
Taillon kept the Astros scoreless until his 107th pitch, a season high.
He was one out away from getting out of the fifth inning, with a runner on first base.