REDS HAMMER 'STROS

Astros undone by rough first inning in 12-5 loss to Reds

Astros Spencer Arrighetti
The Reds jumped on Spencer Arrighetti early. Photo by Heather Barry/Getty Images.

Jonathan India led off Cincinnati's nine-run first inning with a 436-foot homer and the Reds cruised to their second straight victory over the Houston Astros, 12-5 on Wednesday night.

The Reds went to work right away against Spencer Arrighetti (7-12), with India hitting his 11th career lead-off homer and the first since July 12.

Elly De La Cruz had a double and a single in the first, two RBIs and his major league-leading 62nd stolen base. Tyler Stephenson and Amed Rosario each drove in two runs during the outburst.

Arrighetti didn't get out of the first, allowing six hits and walking three.

Reds starter Nick Martinez (7-6) pitched into the sixth, allowing four runs and six hits. He struck out seven. Brett Suter went the final 3 1/3, allowing a run and three hits for his first save.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Astros: INF Kyle Tucker (leg) ran the bases before the game and took live batting practice. “He’s really, really close,” manager Joe Espada said. “It will be the next few days.”

Reds: It's looking less likely that INF Matt McLain will make it back this season as doctors try to get to the bottom of soreness in his side. He sustained a shoulder injury in spring training.

UP NEXT

Reds rookie right-hander Rhett Lowder (0-1, 2.25 ERA), who made his major league debut last Friday, was set to face Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (11-7, 3.55) on Thursday in the finale of the three-game interleague series.

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The Tigers beat the Astros, 7-4. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images.

Javy Báez capped a five-run third inning with his ninth career grand slam, and the Detroit Tigers avoided a series sweep by beating the Houston Astros 7-4 on Wednesday.

Baez’s two-out homer off AJ Blubaugh (0-1), a 24-year-old right-hander making his major league debut, put the Tigers ahead 7-1. All five runs were unearned due to shortstop Jeremy Peña throwing error on Kerry Carpenter's grounder.

Riley Greene tied his career high with four hits.

Brenan Hanifee (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Jackson Jobe, who allowed three runs, four hits and four walks in three innings. Detroit has won five of seven and nine of 13.

Blubaugh (0-1) struck out two in a 1-2-3 first and gave up seven runs — two earned — and five hits in four innings with six strikeouts and a walk.

Blubaugh was optioned back to Sugar Land after the game.

Peña hit the first career leadoff home run, the first of his three hits, but Colt Keith hit a two-run homer in the second to put Detroit ahead for good.

Jose Altuve hit a two-run double in the fifth and Victor Caratini homered in the seventh against Tyler Holton.

Holton struck out Yainer Diaz to strand two runners in the seventh and Tommy Kahnle struck out Christian Walker to leave two runners on in the eighth.

Houston went 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 runners.

Key moment

Báez drove a high sweeper over the left-field scoreboard.

Key stat

Houston allowed five unearned runs in the third inning after giving up three in its first 29 games.

Up next

Astros: LHP Framber Valdez (1-3 4.00 ERA) opens a three-game series at the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.

Tigers: RHP Casey Mize (4-1 2.12 ERA) opens a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels and LHP Yusei Kikuchi (0-4, 4.31) on Thursday night.

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