Astros vs Reds Series Review: The Streak Is Over

I believe in streaks. I respect the streak like any rational and superstitious baseball fan, so as the Houston Astros entered into this series with the Reds with a streak of losses, I did everything I could to change my behavior in the hopes they’d pull out a win.

It took all three games to get there, but the Houston Astros brought their losing streak to an end Sunday.

Friday night when the Reds arrived, J.A. Happ handed his Astros a quality start, but that was not enough to overcome the strong seven inning start and offensive powerhouse of the Reds. Mike Leake definitely put his mark on Minute Maid Park while Joey Votto continued to pound the Astros at home, as he has for quite some time. In the end, Happ’s start wasn’t enough to lead the Astros to a win and they fell 4-1, losing an injured Carlos Lee along the way.

Saturday would prove to be a long and grueling battle between these two clubs as the first four innings along went a whopping two hours. After the Reds started off as an offensive bulldozer, running over Wandy Rodriguez’s pitching with 8 runs in the first two innings, the Astros finally found a groove and began battling back in the 3rd and 4th, putting up another 7 runs of their own. By the top of the 5th it was a 9-8 ballgame with Astros on top. That lead would be squelched in the late innings as the Reds continued to put on a home run display and finished off the Astros 12-9 in an epic 3 hour and 47 ballgame.

Sunday afternoon would tell a different tale and turn the tide of the Astros. After calling up Jordan Lyles to start on the mound as well as Brett Wallace to cover for Lee at first (Matt Downs was sent to AAA as a result), the Astros refused to go down. The 4-8 hitters found a groove against Reds pitcher, Bronson Arroyo and managed to take an early lead then battle in the second half to regain it again after falling behind in the third. Justin Maxwell’s two run homer in the 7th sealed the fate of the ball club as the Astros broke their losing streak and beat the Reds, 5-3.

I have a theory that because Lyles hadn’t been with the big club for that devastating road trip to LA and Denver he wasn’t tainted by the streak. Regardless of whether my theories are right or wrong, it was behind his leadership on the mound that the offense was able to turn things around and the Regulators were able to shut down Cincinnati effectively.

The Astros will take this off day to choose their first overall draft pick in the Rule 4 First year Player Draft and fans will wait with bated breath to see if the they can take this win and carry it into the next series against the division rival St. Louis Cardinals.

Astros Vs. Reds Final Score: Houston Snaps Losing Streak With 5-3 Win

The Houston Astros snapped an eight game losing streak with a 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.

Jordan Lyles turned in a solid performance on the mound for the Astros picking up his first win of the season after allowing two runs and five hits over seven innings of work.

Jordan Schafer's sacrifice fly in the fifth inning put Houston in front 3-2. Justin Maxwell's pinch hit two-run homer in the seventh put the Astros up 5-2. Brett Myers pitched a perfect ninth to pick up save No. 13 on the season.

Brett Wallace, Jason Castro and Marwin Gonzalez all finished with two hits each for Houston. Zach Cozart had two hits for the Reds including his sixth homer of the season. Bronson Arroyo takes the loss for the Reds after allowing eight hits and five runs in 6 1/3 innings.

For more on the Houston Astros, be sure to check out From The Crawfish Boxes. Cincinnati Reds new and info can be found at Red Reporter, and all your MLB news is at Baseball Nation.

NL Central Standings: Astros Losing Streak Takes Them 8.5 Games Back Of Reds

The NL Central was a bit more competitive just two weeks ago, but that was before the Houston Astros stopped surprising everyone and returned to preseason expectations with their current 8 game winning streak. Brad Mills is hoping he can help stop the streak today against the Cincinnati Reds, who lead the division, but that's going to take a strong outing from Jordan Lyles to do so.

The 'Stros currently sit at 22-31, just above the Chicago Cubs in the Central. They're still only 8.5 games back in early June, which is hardly a death knell, but the team has made it clear that they are building for the long haul. Expect Jeff Luhnow to sell off veteran parts and for the rest of the season to be a bit rough. Here's the current NL Central standings:

For more on the Houston Astros, be sure to check out From The Crawfish Boxes. For all of your MLB news, make sure to go to Baseball Nation.

Astros Vs. Reds Time, TV, Radio Info And More

The Houston Astros will turn to Jordan Lyles (0-1, 5.73 ERA) as they try to snap an eight game losing streak Sunday afternoon when they face the Cincinnati Reds. The Astros lost Friday's series opener 4-1 and Saturday's slugfest 12-9.

Joey Votto was right in the middle of both games going 4 for 4 with a homer and two RBIs on Saturday. He is in the middle of a nine-game hit streak and has a 20-game streak at Minute Maid Park in which he is hitting .494 with five homers. Votto is 4 for 5 against Lyles in his career with a homer and two doubles. Bronson Arroyo (2-3, 3.59 ERA) gets the start for the Reds

Game Date/Time: Sunday, June 3, 1:05 p.m. CT

Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas

TV: Fox Sports Houston

Radio: KTRH 740

Online Streaming: MLB.tv

For more on the Houston Astros, be sure to check out From The Crawfish Boxes. Cincinnati Reds new and info can be found at Red Reporter, and all your MLB news is at Baseball Nation.

Astros Vs. Reds Final Score: Wandy Rodriguez Hammered In 12-9 Loss

Wandy Rodriguez had a tough night on the mound as the Houston Astros lost their eighth straight game falling 12-9 to the Cincinnati Reds.

Neither starting pitcher waited very long to start getting banged around in this game. Wandy Rodriguez started off by allowing three runs in the top of the first with the big blow being a two-run homer off the bat of Joey Votto. Houston came back with two runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning on a Jed Lowrie homer off of Reds starter Mat Latos to cut the score to 3-2.

Cinci erupted for five runs in the second as Drew Stubbs and Todd Frazier both left the yard to take an 8-2 lead. The Astros scored seven times between the third and fourth innings to take a 9-8 lead and chase Latos from the game. However, Ryan Ludwick tied things back up with a homer in the fifth and Brandon Philips put the Reds back in front for good with a double in the sixth.

Jose Altuve went 3 for 5 and scored three runs for the Astros. J.D. Martinez had two hits and drove in a team-high three runs. Jed Lowrie's home run was his ninth of the season.

Vottoe finished a perfect 4 for 4 while scoring three times and driving in two for the Reds. Drew Stubbs finished with four RBIs while Brandon Phillips finished with two hits and drove in three.

Wandy Rodriguez escapes with a no decision after allowing nine hits and nine runs (7 earned) in five innings. The lefty struck out three, walked two and allowed four home runs. Fernando Rodriguez gets saddled with the loss to drop his record to 1-6 on the season.

Mat Latos was hammered to the tune of seven hits and seven runs (4 earned) in just 3 1/3 innings. Sam LeCure picks up the win with two scoreless innings of relief. Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth to earn his fifth save of the season.

For more on the Houston Astros, be sure to check out From The Crawfish Boxes. Cincinnati Reds new and info can be found at Red Reporter, and all your MLB news is atBaseball Nation.

Astros Vs. Reds: J.D. Martinez Will Hit Cleanup In Starting Lineup

The Houston Astros will try to break their seven-game losing streak on Saturday as game two of the weekend series with the Cincinnati Reds is on the horizon this evening. J.D. Martinez will hit cleanup on Saturday as Matt Downs replaces Carlos Lee at first base.

Cincinnati Reds Starting Lineup

1. Zack Cozart (R) SS
2. Drew Stubbs (R) CF
3. Joey Votto (L) 1B
4. Brandon Phillips (R) 2B
5. Chris Heisey (R) RF
6. Ryan Ludwick (R) LF
7. Todd Frazier (R) 3B
8. Ryan Hanigan (R) C
9. Mat Latos (R) P

Houston Astros Starting Lineup

1. Jordan Schafer (L) CF
2. Jose Altuve (R) 2B
3. Jed Lowrie (S) SS
4. J.D. Martinez (R) LF
5. Chris Johnson (R) 3B
6. Fernando Martinez (L) RF
7. Matt Downs (R) 1B
8. Jason Castro (L) C
9. Wandy Rodriguez (S) P

For more on the Houston Astros, be sure to check out From The Crawfish Boxes. Cincinnati Reds new and info can be found at Red Reporter, and all your MLB news is at Baseball Nation.

Astros Vs. Reds, Game 2: Probable Pitchers, Game Time And More

The Houston Astros will try and snap a seven-game winning streak Saturday, as they host NL Central rivals the Cincinnati Reds in Game 2 of the three-game series at Minute Maid Park. Starting at 6:10 p.m. CT on FOX, the Astros' Wandy Rodriguez (4-4, 2.49 ERA) will oppose Mat Latos (4-2, 4.58) as Houston tries to bounce-back from a 4-1 loss on Friday.

Rodriguez will be looking to improve on his stats in his last three starts, which feature an ERA of 4.00 and a record of 1-1. Meanwhile, Latos gave up five home runs in his last start, but luckily earned the victory.

For more on the Astros be sure to check out From The Crawfish Boxes. Reds news and notes can be found at Red Reporter, and all your MLB news is at Baseball Nation.

Astros Vs. Reds Final Score: Houston Falls To Cincinnati 4-1, Losing Streak Reaches 7 Games

The losing streak for the Houston Astros extended to seven games as they fell 4-1 to the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds got to Astros starting pitcher J.A. Happ early by scoring three runs in the first three innings. Happ settled down after that and ultimately pitched seven innings and did not give up a run after the third inning.

The Astros offense had a good chance to get back on track since coming into the game Reds starter Mike Leake had a 1-5 record and an ERA over five. However, the Astros offense was silent once again and only scored one run in the bottom of the eighth when Carlos Lee grounded into a double play which scored Jed Lowrie.

The Reds put up one more run in the top of the ninth when Jay Bruce hit a solo home run off of Wesley Wright, and in the Astros final frame Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman struck out the side to end the game.

For more on the Astros be sure to check out From The Crawfish Boxes. Reds news and notes can be found at Red Reporter, and all your MLB news is at Baseball Nation.

Astros v Reds Series Preview: Is Home the Key?

The Houston Astros return to Minute Maid Park today to begin a three game series against the division-leading Cincinnati Reds. Will they prove that home really is where their heart is? The Astros return from a road trip with a six game losing streak in hand and will be looking to break that with this series against the Reds.

Friday – Mike Leake (1-5, 5.47 ERA) v. J.A. Happ (4-4, 4.37 ERA) – In his last outing, the Reds’ Leake lasted only 3 2/3 innings on the mound, giving up nine hits and three runs in that start. He’ll be looking to keep his pitches down as he struggled with that in his last start. For the Astros, J.A. Happ has turned heads with much improved performance this year over last. In his last three starts he’s 2-1 with a 1.47 ERA. Even in that one loss, against the Dodgers, Happ struck out 10 batters. Look for a strong start from Happ.

Saturday – Mat Latos (4-2, 4.58 ERA) v. Wandy Rodriguez (4-4, 2.49 ERA) – Wandy has been shaky of late allowing 28 hits and 8 earned runs in his last eighteen innings pitched. He did recently grab second on the club’s all-time wins list for a lefty. Wandy is solid even when he struggles, and expect him to show that excellent attitude and aptitude again Saturday. He’ll be facing Latos who just became the first Reds pitcher to allow five home runs in a game. Despite that title, he still walked away from last Sunday’s game with only 96 pitches in 7 1/3 innings. This could be a great pitching battle on Saturday.

Sunday – Bronson Arroyo (2-3, 3.59 ERA) v. TBD – The starter for Sunday’s game has not yet been announced by the Astros, but whoever it is will face righty, Arroyo who only lasted four innings in his last start. He had a difficult time closing down innings as all four runs he allowed came with two outs on the board.

On an offensive note, the Astros hit a lot of baseballs in their last series against the Rockies, and it’s likely we’ll see that again in this first series in back in Houston. Jose Altuve is still getting on base more than an other Astro with a BA of .317 and OBP of .363. Jed Lowrie is closely behind him with an OBP of .357. If these guys can keep it up and J.D. Martinez can continue to approve his comfort level at the plate, the boys might just give us a good show this weekend.

Astros Vs. Reds: Game 1 Preview, TV Info And More

The Astros' losing streak is at six games after a tough road trip, and now the first-place Reds show up at Minute Maid for a NL Central battle.