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Reds-Astros Preview

Jul 25, 2010 - 4:32 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Cincinnati (54-44) at Houston (39-57), 2:05 p.m. EDT

A series with the Houston Astros was just what Joey Votto and the Cincinnati Reds needed to regain sole possession of the NL Central lead.

Having impressive rookie Mike Leake take the mound could help keep them there.

Leake will try to help the Reds continue their dominance of the struggling Astros and complete a three-game sweep Sunday at Minute Maid Park.

Cincinnati (55-44) has won 16 of 18 meetings with the Astros (39-58), hitting .320 with 28 homers while averaging 6.39 runs per game. The Reds have also taken nine of 10 at Houston, including the first two of this series by a combined 13-4 score.

Votto has played a big part in that success, batting .382 with five homers, 12 RBIs and 16 runs in his last 15 overall meetings against the division rivals. He has a .421 average with four homers and 12 RBIs in nine games at Minute Maid Park.

The All-Star first baseman has battered Astros pitching in this series, going 5 for 8 with two homers and three RBIs. He connected for a two-run shot in the first inning Saturday, leading the Reds to a 7-0 rout.

Votto leads the NL with 25 homers and ranks among the league leaders with 67 RBIs.

That production has helped move Cincinnati one-half game ahead of second-place St. Louis after starting this series 1 1/2 back.

The Reds hope to extend that lead behind Leake (7-1, 3.45 ERA), who is 3-0 with a 2.66 ERA in seven road starts.

The right-hander was outstanding at Houston on April 28, yielding one run in seven innings of a 6-4 victory. He was just as good May 30 at home against the Astros, scattering seven hits in six innings of a 2-0, 10-inning loss.

Leake's last start ended earlier than expected due to a rain delay, as he allowed one run while throwing 69 pitches in five innings of an 8-7 win over Washington.

"It's not surprising any more. People know what he's got," catcher Corky Miller told the team's official website. "But his pitches are tough to hit. I don't want to say it, but he's kind of like (Greg) Maddux, where the ball moves so much, it's hard for guys to square up."

While Leake's arm is making him a rookie of the year contender, his bat has provided an unexpected jolt to the offense. He leads all pitchers with a .385 average and .442 on-base percentage while adding two RBIs - both coming while he's collected four hits over his last two games.

The Astros, losers of five of seven overall, will look to end a five-game home losing streak to the Reds when they send Wandy Rodriguez (7-11, 5.11) to the mound.

The left-hander has won his last two home starts against Cincinnati, allowing two runs with 19 strikeouts in 13 innings.

Rodriguez has been mostly solid of late, winning four of five starts overall behind a 2.81 ERA. He wasn't particularly sharp, however, in his most recent outing as he allowed five runs and eight hits over six innings in an 11-5 win Monday at Chicago.