The Astros committed no errors and won their first game of the season in Cincinnati this afternoon, improving to 1-5. Matt Downs’ RBI double in the top of the ninth was the difference maker, and though Brandon Lyon made it interesting by giving up back-to-back hits in the ninth, he was able to get out of the jam by getting Ramon Hernandez to ground out weakly to second base.
Brett Myers had his second straight strong start, throwing six and a third innings and allowing two runs on six hits and three walks. Edgar Renteria went 3-3 with an RBI double, and Scott Rolen launched a solo homer in the seventh to tie the game. The Reds got a decent pitching performance out of Sam LeCure, who allowed just two runs in six innings, but somehow their outfield allowed a triple to Carlos Lee, which is never a good sign for your defense.
Timely hitting was the Astros key in this one, and they’ll head to Houston for Friday’s home opener against the Marlins with the knowledge that it only took them six games to win their first this year, rather than the nine it took them last season.