Cincinnati broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning when JJ Bleday ripped a two-run triple to right field, scoring Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart to make it 2-0. Tyler Stephenson followed with an RBI single to bring home Bleday and extend the lead to 3-0.
The Reds added another run in the fifth after Matt McLain drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring De La Cruz. Spencer Steer capped off the scoring in the sixth inning with his seventh home run of the season on a solo shot to left field.
Andrew Abbott picked up his second win of the season after tossing six scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out five. Cincinnati’s bullpen combined for three more shutout innings as the Reds held Houston to only three hits all game long.
The Reds improve to 22-19 on the season and will have Monday off before opening a three game series against the Washington Nationals Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. with the Inside Pitch pregame show at 6:10 p.m. on WMDJ FM 100.1.
