Closer Mark Melancon wriggled free from a ninth-inning jam as Houston held on for a 4-3 win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday afternoon.

Chicago's Darwin Barney led off the top of the ninth with a base hit against Melancon and advanced to third on a single by Aramis Ramirez. After Carlos Peña popped out to second base and Geovany Soto grounded into a 6-5 fielder's choice to erase Barney, Melancon retired Marlon Byrd on a groundout to preserve the win for Bud Norris (6-8).

Brian Bogusevic, who won Tuesday night's contest with a walk-off grand slam, hit a two-run double in the the third Wednesday to tie the game after Ramirez had delivered a two-run shot in the top of the frame. Chicago, which left 12 runners on base, took a 3-2 lead in the top of the fourth on Soto's solo home run, but Downs answered in the bottom of the inning with a two-run single into shallow center against Casey Coleman (2-5).

Norris (6-8) departed after escaping a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning. He allowed three runs on six hits, striking out five and walking three. Coleman lasted just 3 2/3 innings for the Cubs, allowing four runs on 10 hits. He struck out four and walked two.