Fukudome is a very big hit in Chicago

CHICAGO -- Kosuke Fukudome has endeared himself to Chicago Cubs fans with some early-season clutch hitting.

Fukudome hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh inning Saturday that sent the Wrigley Field faithful into a frenzy, Derrek Lee was four for four with a home run and two RBIs and the Cubs beat the Houston Astros, 9-7.

“When the fans in the stands get up and cheer, it feels really good and it does give [me] a little charge and little more of a boost,” Fukudome said through a translator.

Fukudome, the team’s main off-season acquisition from Japan, is eight for 16 with five RBIs. On opening day, he went three for three, hitting a tying, three-run homer in the ninth inning in a 4-3 loss to the Brewers in extra-innings.

“Oh man, that’s a good-looking ballplayer right there,” said Mark DeRosa, who bats behind Fukudome in the order. “Doing everything for us, getting huge hits, having great at-bats.

“I get the luxury of watching it from the best seat in the house. He’s doing it all right now.”

Houston’s Carlos Lee went three for four with a home run and two doubles, and Astros ace Roy Oswalt lost his second game of the season.