The first-place Cincinnati Reds moved a step closer to the postseason Saturday night with a 5-1 win over the Houston Astros. Combined with a loss by the Cardinals, Cincinnati is now 9.5 games in front of the Central Division after Bud Norris was hung with his 11th straight loss on the mound for Houston.
The Astros only managed one run despite nine hits on the evening. That came in the first inning when Justin Maxwell singled home Fernando Martinez. Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce later homered for the Reds. Cincinnati also added three runs in the sixth to put the game away.
Brandon Arroyo earned his 12th win of the season for Cincinnati, giving up just one run on seven hits in seven innings.
For more news and commentary on the Astros, visit The Crawfish Boxes. Check out Red Reporter for more on the Reds. Get all your MLB news from Baseball Nation, as well as the SB Nation YouTube channel: