The Astros only managed four hits in the loss. Composite Getty Image.
Ty France broke open a scoreless game with a home run in the seventh inning to give the Cincinnati Reds a 1-0 win and series sweep of the Houston Astros on Thursday.
Rhett Lowder, the seventh overall pick in the 2023 draft, made his second career start. He pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out three. Tony Santillan (2-2) relieved Lowder and recorded the win. Alexis Diaz earned his 25th save in 29 chances.
Astros' Hunter Brown pitched six shutout innings, allowing four hits and and a walk, striking out six. Bryan Abreu (2-3) took over for Brown and was greeted by France's 12th home run of the season. It was the ninth hit in 11 at-bats for France, who had seven hits in as many at bats in the first two games.
Joe Espada was ejected by home plate umpire Brian O’Nora for arguing after a review. Alex Bregman claimed he was hit by a pitch that O'Nora ruled a foul ball.
The Reds also swept Houston in 2019 and 2023 in three-game series.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: Kyle Tucker ran and took live batting practice Thursday morning. Espada hopes to activate him tomorrow for a series with the Diamondbacks.
Reds: Andrew Abbott started a throwing program on Wednesday. Hunter Greene was scheduled to throw a side session on Thursday and Sunday.
UP NEXT
Astros: Will host the Diamondbacks. Houston has not announced its starter. The Diamondbacks throw Brandon Pfaadt (9-7, 4.32).
Reds: The Reds play the Mets at Citifield on Friday. The Reds have not announced a starter. The Mets will send Sean Manaea (11-5, 3.35) to the mound.
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Right-handed relief pitcher Kendall Graveman has finalized a $1.35 million, one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team said Monday.
The 34-year-old Graveman figures to add depth to the D-backs bullpen and could compete for the closer’s role. He missed last season following surgery in January 2024 to repair the labrum in his right shoulder.
Since he switched to a full-time relief role in 2021, he has a 2.74 ERA and 193 strikeouts over 187 1/3 innings.
Graveman first pitched in the big leagues with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014 and went on to the Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros.
He last pitched for the White Sox and Astros in 2023, finishing the season with a 3.12 ERA over 68 appearances. He has a 37-43 record over nine MLB seasons with a 3.95 ERA and 24 saves.