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Reds down Astros

Jun 2, 2012 - 4:51 AM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Mike Leake scattered four hits and gave up one run to guide the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros in the first of a three-game set at Minute Maid Park.

Leake (2-5) struck out seven and walked just three over seven frames.

"He struggled a little bit but got out of trouble when he had to," said Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker about Leake. "He gave up seven strong innings tonight and was sharp."

Jay Bruce homered and had two RBI while Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips each drove in a run for the Reds, winners in four of their last six.

Jed Lowrie went 1-for-2 with two walks and Carlos Lee had a hit for the Astros, who have lost seven in a row. Jose Altuve scored the lone run for Houston.

J.A. Happ (4-5) was pegged with the loss after giving up three runs on five hits over seven innings.

"I made some good pitches, but then I didn't make a few there," said Happ. "Sometimes there's games where you have no room for error and tonight was one of them."

The Reds jumped ahead to an early 2-0 lead in the first. Votto single before scoring on Phillips' double. Bruce followed with a single to score Phillips.

Cincinnati added another run in the third to go ahead 3-0. Zack Cozart walked, moved to second on a Schafer sac-fly and scored when Votto laced a single up the middle.

The Astros got on the board in the sixth when Lee grounded into a double play. Altuve and Lowrie hit back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners before Lee grounded into the 4-6-3 double play.

Bruce's solo shot in the ninth gave the Reds' the deciding 4-1 lead.

Aroldis Chapman tossed a perfect ninth to seal his fourth save of the season.

Game Notes

Chapman extended his franchise-best record of appearances without a run to 22...Cincinnati had its first day off in 20 days on Thursday...Votto extended his hitting streak to eight games...Houston center fielder Jordan Schafer, who went 1-for-4 in the game, has a six-game hitting streak...Houston's seven- game slide is the longest since they dropped seven in a row August 9-15, 2011.