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.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won’t have a prolonged stay on the injured list.
The three-time All-Star went on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday, and returned to Houston for an MRI that revealed the muscle strain.
“We look at it as good news,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before their Wednesday afternoon game with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Espada expressed hope that Alvarez wouldn’t have to stay on the injured list longer than the required 10 days. He also said the hand issue may have played a role in Alvarez’s slow start.
Alvarez, 27, is hitting .210 with a .306 on-base percentage, three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season. He batted .308 with a .392 on-base percentage, 35 homers and 86 RBIs in 147 games last year while ranking ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player balloting.
He has posted an OPS of at least .959 and has finished 13th or higher in the MVP voting each of the last three seasons.
“Once he heals, once he gets back, I think we’ll see a more aggressive at bat and be not as cautious,” Espada said. “I think it had something to do with it, yes.”
His potential return could go a long way toward boosting an Astros lineup that hasn’t been as productive as usual this season. The Astros entered Wednesday’s action ranked 21st in the majors in runs (136) and 23rd in OPS (.676). Houston has ranked 11th or better in both those categories each of the last four seasons.