Reds Hand Astros 5th Straight Loss
Final Score: Cincinnati 6, Houston 4 Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Joey Votto hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning, lifting the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-4 win over Houston, in the second of three games with the Astros. Laynce Nix also homered as part of a two-hit day, while Ramon Hernandez hit a key two-run single for the Reds, who have won three in a row. Micah Owings allowed three runs on six hits and four walks in a five-inning start for the Reds, but did not factor into the decision. Nick Masset (2-0), who was activated off the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, pitched a scoreless seventh inning to get the win. Francisco Cordero threw a scoreless ninth to pick up his 13th save this season.
 Oswalt Usually Domiantes The Reds Roy Oswalt surrendered four runs on seven hits in a six-inning start for the Astros, whose losing streak reached a season-high six games. Oswalt has faced the Reds three times this season, but hasn’t picked up a decision in any of the contests. Tim Byrdak (0-1) took the loss after giving up Votto’s homer. Ivan Rodriguez hit a two-run double for Houston, while Edwin Maysonet went 2- for-4 with an RBI. Jeff Keppinger hit a solo homer in the loss. Masset worked around a Carlos Lee single to keep Houston off the scoreboard in the top of the seventh, keeping the game tied at 4-4. Jerry Hairston Jr. then worked a walk to lead off the bottom half against Byrdak, and Votto followed by blasting an opposite field homer to put Cincinnati back on top. David Weathers worked a 1-2-3 eighth for the Reds, and Cordero shut down the Astros in the ninth, getting Lance Berkman to sharply ground into a game- ending double play. The Reds got the game’s first runs in the third, which Owings and Chris Dickerson began with consecutive singles. A bunt from Hairston moved the runners over, and after Votto struck out, Hernandez punched a single up the middle to chase them both home. However, the Astros seized the lead in the fourth. With two runners on and nobody out, Lee hit a sharp liner off Owings’ right hip to load the bases. After a brief injury timeout, Owings stayed in and got Hunter Pence to line out to second. But Rodriguez followed and slammed a double to center, bringing in two runs. Maysonet singled two batters later to plate Lee and give Houston a 3-2 lead. Nix led off the bottom half, and took a breaking ball from Oswalt over the right field fence to tie the game. After a scoreless fifth, Mike Lincoln replaced Owings for the sixth and surrendered a leadoff homer to Keppinger that briefly put the Astros in front. But Oswalt got into trouble in the home half, walking Alex Gonzalez with two away and a man on. The Houston starter then hit Adam Rosales and walked pinch- hitter Jonny Gomes to force in a run, making it a tie game once more. Game Notes Masset was on the DL because of a strained oblique muscle in his left side. In a corresponding move, the Reds optioned utility player Wilkin Castillo to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday…Oswalt entered the game with a 23-1 record in 30 career starts vs. the Reds…Nix’s homer was his fourth of the season, while Votto’s was his eighth. Keppinger hit his second homer of the year…The Astros had lost five games in a row on two occasions this season, including a stretch from April 8-13. |
