The Houston Astros visit Cincinnati for a 3 game series. The Reds have won 5 straight against their former NL Central rival coming into the series.
Game 1:
Justin Verlander gets the start for Houston, rookie Julian Aguiar makes his second start at home for the a Reds. Verlander would struggle with his command early, he would walk the first three Reds batters. TJ Friedl would line a sac fly to right, scoring India. Next batter Ty France would single up the middle, scoring Elly De La Cruz, Reds lead 2-0 after 1. The Astros would tie the game on a couple of hits and an intentional walk, capped off by a Yainer Diaz 2 RBI single. The Reds would score 3 in the 5th. Santiago Espinal would drop in a 2 RBI single and Amed Rosario would single up the middle scoring Espinal.
The Reds had many chances through out this game, but they would stand 14 bases runners in Monday. Emilio Pagan and Justin Wilson would pitch the final 3 innings after Sam Moll and Carson Spiers would relieve Aguiar, who was pitching on short rest. Wilson would get the 1 out save and the Reds win 5-3.
BOX SCORE STANDOUTS:
Ty France: 4-4 RBI, R
Santiago Espinal: 2-4 2 RBI, R, SB
Amed Rosario: 2-4 RBI
Winning Pitcher: Carson Spiers (5-5 5.31 ERA)
Losing Pitcher: Justin Verlander (3-5 4.52 ERA)
Save: Justin Wilson (2)
Wednesday Starters:
Spencer Arrighetti
Nick Martinez
Game 2:
With a day off on Tuesday, the Astros gained ground toward winning the AL West with a Seattle loss. The Reds have had Houston’s number, winning 7 straight games. Nick Martinez was named the starter for Cincinnati, facing off against Spencer Arrighetti fresh off of being named AL Rookie of the Month for August.
The Reds would go off on Arrighetti. Jonathan India would hit a leadoff home run, Elly De La Cruz would double and advance on a groundout by Tyler Stephenson. TJ Friedl would double and Elly De La Cruz would score. Ty France would keep his hot bat going in the series, he would hit an RBI single to score Friedl. Arrighetti would walk the bases loaded, Amed Rosario would single up the middle, scoring France and Fraley. India would walk as the Reds have batted around, and the bases are loaded for Elly De La Cruz. Elly would bounce a ball over the first baseman, Espinal and Rosario would score. Elly would steal 2nd. Tyler Stephenson would single up the middle, India and De La Cruz will score and the Reds put up 9 runs in the 1st inning.
Houston would get 1 back in the top of the 2nd on a Ben Gamel RBI single. In the bottom of the 3rd, Elly De La Cruz would double and score on a single by Tyler Stephenson. The Reds lead 10-1 after 3. In the 5th, Amed Rosario would reach on an error, Jonathan India would walk and TJ Friedl would single up the middle, scoring Rosario. Next batter Spencer Steer would hit a sinking line drive to the 3rd baseman with the runners breaking, Steer would beat the throw by the 3rd baseman and Jonathan India would score from 2nd. The Reds lead 12-1 after 5. Houston would get to Martinez in the 6th. An error, a single and a walk would load the bases. Zach Dezenzo would single to bring in 2 and Martinez’s day would be done. Brent Suter would relieve Martinez and would finish the game. Houston would score 3 in the 6th, and 1 in the 7th as the Reds would go on to win 12-5.
Jonathan India now stands alone in 2nd place in Reds franchise history with 11 career lead off home runs, Pete Rose holds the record with 18. Nick Martinez threw 100 pitches for the first time as a Red. The Reds have now won 8 straight vs Houston.
BOX SCORE STANDOUTS:
Jonathan India: 1-3 HR(13) 3R, BB
Elly De La Cruz: 3-4 3R, 2RBI
Ty France: 3-4 RBI
Winning Pitcher: Nick Martinez (7-6 3.67 ERA)
Losing Pitcher: Spencer Arrighetti (7-12 5.26 ERA)
Save: Brent Suter (1)
Thursday Starters:
Rhett Lowder
Hunter Brown
Game 3:
Rhett Lowder is making his second career start for the Reds, against Hunter Brown for Houston. Lowder made his Major League debut last time out and would go 4.1 innings only giving up 1 run, but would be credited with a loss. Stellar defense for the Reds would be the theme in the first, behind phenomenal plays back to back by Elly De La Cruz and Ty France.
Pitching is the story today, after last nights scoring outburst by the Reds. Rhett Lowder would 6.1 innings of shutout baseball with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. Hunter Brown would throw 6 innings of shutout baseball 6 strikeouts and 1 walk. In the 7th, Ty France hit a lead off home run to give the Reds the lead, 1-0 late.
Tony Santillan and Alexis Diaz would each pitch a shutout outing as Diaz earned his 25th save. The Reds complete the sweep and win Thursday afternoon 1-0.
BOX SCORE STANDOUTS:
Ty France: 2-3 HR(12) RBI
Jake Fraley: 2-2 BB
Rhett Lowder: 6.1 IP, 0R, 3K, 4BB
Winning Pitcher: Tony Santillan (2-2 2.14 ERA)
Losing Pitcher: Bryan Abreu (2-3 3.41 ERA)
Save: Alexis Diaz (25)
The Reds have won 9 straight against the Astros and 12 of the last 14. The Reds hit the road Friday to play the New York Mets. The Reds have yet to announce a starter but the Mets will start Sean Manaea. Manaea is 11-5 with a 3.35 ERA and has a 2.61 ERA over his last 3 starts. He has struck out 25 and only walked 2 over that span. The Mets have won 8 of their last 10 games.
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