Astros 5 - 3 Reds
Final
  for this game

Dominguez powers Astros past Reds

Sep 8, 2012 - 5:34 AM

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Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Matt Dominguez hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the ninth inning off Aroldis Chapman on Friday and the Houston Astros stunned the Cincinnati Reds, 5-3, in the opener of a three-game series from Great American Ball Park.

It was the second career home run for Dominguez, who was recalled from Triple- A Oklahoma City on Aug. 30.

Chapman (5-5), meanwhile, suffered his first blown save since June 24. The hard-throwing lefty, who entered Friday with a 0.30 ERA against NL teams, had converted a single-season club record 27 consecutive save opportunities.

"That shows nobody is perfect," said Reds manager Dusty Baker. "He's been as near perfect as anybody the last few months. It was just one of those nights for him."

Lucas Harrell gave up three runs on seven hits in a six-inning start for the Astros and Hector Ambriz (1-0) recorded the final two outs of the eighth to pick up the win.

Justin Maxwell hit a first-inning, two-run homer in the win. Jose Altuve went 1-for-2 and scored on Maxwell's two-out homer before exiting with a lower abdominal strain.

Homer Bailey got the start for the NL Central-leading Reds and allowed two runs on five hits with a walk and nine strikeouts over 6 2/3 frames.

Cincinnati, which dropped two of three to the Philadelphia Phillies in its previous series, loaded the bases in the bottom of the first and Ryan Ludwick delivered a game-tying base hit through the left side of the infield.

With one down in the fifth, Chris Heisey tripled ahead of walks to Joey Votto (intentional) and Ludwick. Jay Bruce then blooped a single over the head of shortstop Tyler Greene to push across the go-ahead run.

In the ninth, Greene and J. D. Martinez hit consecutive one-out singles before Dominguez deposited an 0-1 fastball into the seats in left field.

"I was just looking for a fastball up in the zone," said Dominguez. "I took a good swing on the first one and just happened to get the barrel on the second one."

Wilton Lopez worked around a pair of singles in the home half to record his third save of the season.

Despite the win, the last-place Astros still trail the Reds by 39 1/2 games in the division.

Game Notes

Maxwell hit his 14th home run of the season ... Chapman suffered just his second blown save against the NL this season (5/17 at NYM) ... Votto returned to the lineup on Wednesday against Philadelphia. He had been out since July 15 due to a pair of surgeries on his left knee ... The Reds lead the season- series, 9-4.






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