MLB

Cincinnati Reds at Houston Astros

· Major League Baseball
Cincinnati Reds
36-35, 19-17 Away
Final
10 - 3
Houston Astros
39-32, 20-17 Home

India homers, Cincinnati Reds push winning streak to 7 games with 10-3 win over Houston Astros

But if these red hot Reds keep playing this well, it's going to be difficult to continue to see them as underdogs.

Jonathan India hit a two-run homer and Will Benson had three hits and two RBI to power the surging Reds to a 10-3 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday.

The victory extends Cincinnati's winning streak to seven games. It’s the first time the Reds have won seven in a row since June 2018, and it’s the longest active winning streak in the majors.

“We’re showing the world right now who we are and how we play and the brand we play,” India said. “So all I can say is that we’re going to keep it going.”

Hunter Greene (2-4) allowed five hits and two runs in six innings to get his second win of the season.

India’s home run off Brandon Bielak (3-4) put the Reds up 2-0 in the first and Benson drove in two with a single in the fifth that pushed it to 5-1.

“Belief is a big part of what’s going on in our clubhouse,” manager David Bell said. “We know how important that is, but part of that comes with hard work and playing hard every day and continuing to try to get better.”

Cincinnati rookie Elly De La Cruz doubled with two hits and a stolen base after entering the game in an 0-for-13 skid.

Jose Altuve tied a career-best with four hits — three for extra bases — highlighted by a solo homer in the seventh inning as the Astros lost their third straight. It was his 35th career four-hit game, passing Craig Biggio for most in franchise history.

“It seems like right now everything they’re doing is right,” manager Dusty Baker said. “And we're in a period where we're doing most things wrong.”

Bielak yielded five hits and five runs — four earned — in 4 2/3 innings.

Benson, whose hits and RBI tied career highs, tripled on a ball that was deflected by center fielder Jake Meyers to start the fourth. There was one out in the inning when he scored on a sacrifice bunt by Curt Casali to extend the lead to 3-1.

Matt McLain singled to open the fifth before Bielak walked Spencer Steer and Tyler Stephenson to load the bases with two outs and end his day.

He was replaced by Phil Maton, who was greeted by the single by Benson that scored two to make it 5-1.

“I’m grateful for getting opportunities and thankfully, I’m helping the team and cashing in,” Benson said.

Yainer Diaz connected off Greene with one out in the sixth to cut the lead to 5-2.

McLain reached with one out in the first on an error by Jeremy Peña when he overthrew first base. India sent the next pitch out of the park to give the Reds the early lead.

Corey Julks walked with one in the third before Altuve doubled to the corner in right field. The Astros cut the lead to one when Julks scored on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Tucker.

Tyler Stephenson made it 6-2 with an RBI single in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Kevin Newman drove in two in Cincinnati's four-run ninth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Reds: OF Stuart Fairchild was out of the lineup for a second straight game Saturday with neck stiffness.

Astros: OF Michael Brantley took batting practice on the field Saturday for the first time since suffering a setback in early May. Brantley, who has missed all season after surgery on his right shoulder, said he’s feeling good but there’s still no timetable for his return. … RHP Lance McCullers Jr. talked to reporters Saturday for the first time since undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair the flexor tendon and remove a bone spur in his pitching arm. McCullers sustained the injury to the flexor tendon in the playoffs in 2021 and was limited to just eight games last season because of it. The 29-year-old will miss the remainder of this season and said it’s too early to know if he’ll be ready for the start of the 2024 season.

UP NEXT

Cincinnati RHP Luke Weaver (1-2, 6.23 ERA) opposes RHP Ronel Blanco (1-0, 3.86) when the Reds look to complete the sweep Sunday.

How can I watch Cincinnati Reds vs. Houston Astros?
  • TV Channel: Reds at Astros 2022 MLB Baseball, is broadcasted on MLB.tv.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Matchup Prediction

Astros: 56.5%
Reds: 43.5%
*According to ESPN's Basketball Power Index

Scoring Summary

9th Inning Kessinger flied out to left.
9th Inning Meyers struck out looking.
9th Inning Peña grounded out to first.
9th Inning Cruz relieved Farmer
9th Inning Newman at second base.
9th Inning Hopkins as designated hitter.

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/mlb/500/cin.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCIN https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/mlb/500/hou.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originHOU
1 Games Played 1
1 Team Games Played 1
1 Hit By Pitch 0
17 Ground Balls 9
8 Strikeouts 4
10 Runs Batted In 3
1 Sacrifice Hit 0
13 Hits 7
3 Stolen Bases 3
8 Walks 4
0 Catcher Interference 0
10 Runs 3
1 Ground Into Double Play 1
0 Sacrifice Flies 1
38 At Bats 31
1 Home Runs 2
0 Grand Slam Home Runs 0
25 Runners Left On Base 10
2 Triples 0
1 Game Winning RBIs 0
0 Intentional Walks 0
2 Doubles 2
14 Fly Balls 19
1 Caught Stealing 1
194 Pitches 137
0 Games Started 0
1 Pinch At Bats 0
1 Pinch Hits 0
0.0 Player Rating 0.0
1 Is Qualified 1
1 Is Qualified In Steals 1
22 Total Bases 15
48 Plate Appearances 36
162.0 Projected Home Runs 324.0
5 Extra Base Hits 4
10.2 Runs Created 4.8
.342 Batting Average .226
1.000 Pinch Hit Average .000
.579 Slugging Percentage .484
.500 Secondary Average .452
.468 On Base Percentage .306
1.047 OBP Pct + SLG Pct .789
1.2 Ground To Fly Ball Ratio 0.5
9.8 Runs Created Per 27 Outs 4.8
68.0 Batter Rating 32.0
38.0 At Bats Per Home Run 15.5
0.75 Stolen Base Percentage 0.75
4.04 Pitches Per Plate Appearance 3.81
.237 Isolated Power .258
1.00 Walk To Strikeout Ratio 1.00
.167 Walks Per Plate Appearance .111
.158 Secondary Average Minus Batting Average .226
20.0 Runs Produced 6.0
1.0 Runs Ratio 1.0
0.7 Patience Ratio 0.6
0.4 Balls In Play Average 0.2
108.8 MLB Rating 81.8
0.0 Offensive Wins Above Replacement 0.0
0.0 Wins Above Replacement 0.0

Game Information

Minute Maid Park

Location: Houston, Texas
Attendance: 40,136 | Capacity:

2024 National League Central Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Milwaukee 93 69 .574 - L1
St. Louis 83 79 .512 10 W1
Chicago 83 79 .512 10 L1
Cincinnati 77 85 .475 16 W1
Pittsburgh 76 86 .469 17 L1

2024 American League West Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Houston 88 73 .547 - W2
Seattle 85 77 .525 3.5 W4
Texas 78 84 .481 10.5 W3
Oakland 69 93 .426 19.5 L3
Los Angeles 63 99 .389 25.5 L6
Full Standings