Cubs' Craig Counsell Delivers Stern Message to Rookie Pitcher After Rough Start

Horton's night was done after four innings. He gave up seven runs on eight hits and four walks.

"I thought we had a good game plan going into it. I just never really caught my footing - let up too many walks, hit a guy up 0-2 - just a recipe for disaster," Horton said after the game. "I got my (expletive) kicked today."

Horton's ERA rose to 4.80 after last night's outing. Manager Craig Counsell had a stern message for the rookie pitcher postgame, but also saw the performance as a learning experience.

"This was a really good regular season environment. The fans do a great job. This place is loud always. I just told Cade that this is a good example of what the playoffs are going to look like," Counsell said postgame. "Turn it up a couple notches, but of a road game we've that played this year, this is probably the best example that Cade's had of what it turns into against a tough lineup. So, that's the lesson you kind of take from it, and he'll be better next time."

The Cubs' skipper showed confidence in his young starter at the end of his quote. After all, it was only Horton's eighth start in the major leagues, and he did so in a pretty electric environment.

As if two of the top teams in MLB meeting midway through the season with the same record wouldn't be enough to get the Astros' crowd riled up. Horton was also pitching on the night of the return of two former World Series champions in Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly, who joined the Cubs this offseason from the Astros.

It was an emotional night all around, and Horton happened to be the guy on the bump for the Cubs.

However, Counsell seems confident his young pitcher will bounce back and be better next time out. The only other time Horton gave up four or more runs in an outing this season, the following start, he bounced back, throwing 5.2 scoreless innings.

The Cubs and Astros will play the second game of their weekend series Saturday in Houston at 6:15 p.m. on FOX.