MLB: Houston 12, Chicago Cubs 7

CHICAGO, May 30 (UPI) -- J.R. Towles' sixth-inning homer, one of four Houston home runs, capped a comeback Monday in which the Astros rallied for a 12-7 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Trailing 6-3 after four innings, the Astros got a two-run homer from Clint Barmes and a solo shot from Hunter Pence in the fifth to forge a tie. Towles led off the sixth by pulling a 2-1 pitch from Jeff Samardzija (3-1) into the left field bleachers, and the Astros went on to take the first of a three-game set.

Jeff Keppinger went 3-for-4, driving in four runs with a three-run home run and a double, and Michael Bourn added three hits and three runs scored in the Astros' 16-hit assault.

Sergio Escalona (1-0) earned his first major league win with a scoreless fifth inning in relief of starter Aneury Rodriguez, who yielded six runs (four earned) on seven hit over four frames.

Rodrigo Lopez, acquired last week from Atlanta for a minor league pitcher, started for the Cubs and allowed six runs on 10 hits over 4 2/3 innings.

Carlos Pena socked a three-run homer and Starlin Castro contributed two hits and an RBI for Chicago.