Astros 2 - 8 Reds
Final
  for this game

Reds top Astros, move to 4-0

Apr 6, 2011 - 5:03 AM

Video

Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Mike Leake threw six solid innings and Chris Heisey drove in three, as the Cincinnati Reds remained unbeaten with an 8-2 win over the Houston Astros in the opener of a three-game series.

Leake (1-0) began his second major league season by limiting Houston to two runs on three hits and two walks. He also struck out four for Cincinnati, which is 4-0 for the first time since 1990, when the Reds won the World Series.

"If we go 162-0 we'd make some serious headlines," Heisey said. "But we're probably going to lose a game before long."

They took advantage of an ineffective J.A. Happ (0-1) to get the win Tuesday. The Astros left-hander lasted only four innings, giving up seven hits and seven runs. He struggled with control, throwing only 52 of his 91 pitches for strikes, walking five and hitting a batter.

"He was mixing his pitches well but didn't have any command," Astros manager Brad Mills said of his starter.

Angel Sanchez hit a two-run double for Houston, which was swept by Philadelphia in its season-opening series.

Happ was initially supposed to start Sunday against the Phillies, but a strained right oblique pushed his outing back.

The Reds got to him in the first inning after putting two on with one out. Scott Rolen lined an RBI single to center before Happ walked Jonny Gomes to load the bases.

Happ then walked Heisey to force in a run, and Rolen scored when Astros second baseman Bill Hall made an awkward throw to first on a potential double play.

Happ's trouble continued in the third, when two singles and a walk loaded the bases with one away. After Rolen fouled out, Happ walked Gomes and hit Heisey to make it a 5-0 game.

Joey Votto hit an RBI double in the fourth, and Heisey added a run-scoring single later in the inning to provide Leake a big lead. He never let the Astros back in the game.

Sanchez provided Houston's only offense in the fifth, and pinch-hitter Miguel Cairo added a sacrifice fly in the bottom half.

Game Notes

The Reds were 10-5 against Astros last season...Happ's seven earned runs allowed matched a career worst...Votto finished with two hits for the Reds, as did Brandon Phillips and Drew Stubbs.






  • 10
    roots
    MattDOOM777 Added 5 roots

    Astros 2, Reds 8  FinalApr 11 11:40 AM


  • HOUSTON: 2
    CINCINNATI: 8
    Final

    Apr 5 9:49 PM


  • Joey Votto lined out to right to end the inning.

    Astros 2, Reds 8  End 5Apr 5 8:58 PM


  • Angel Sanchez double to right scored Chris Johnson and Michael Bourn. Runner on second with two outs and Hunter Pence due up.

    Astros 2, Reds 7  Top 5, 2 OutsApr 5 8:46 PM


  • Chris Heisey single to center scored Joey Votto. Runner on first with two outs and Ramon Hernandez due up.

    Astros 0, Reds 7  Bot 4, 2 OutsApr 5 8:32 PM


  • Scott Rolen flied out to right. Runner on second with one out and Jonny Gomes due up.

    Astros 0, Reds 6  Bot 4, 1 OutApr 5 8:29 PM


  • Chris Heisey was hit-by-pitch Brandon Phillips scores on the play. Bases loaded with two outs and Ramon Hernandez due up.

    Astros 0, Reds 5  Bot 2, 2 OutsApr 5 7:56 PM


  • Ramon Hernandez grounded into a fielder's choice scored Scott Rolen. Runners on first and third with two outs and Paul Janish due up.

    Astros 0, Reds 3  Bot 1, 2 OutsApr 5 7:30 PM


  • Chris Heisey walk. Joey Votto scored on the play. Bases loaded with one out and Ramon Hernandez due up.

    Astros 0, Reds 2  Bot 1, 1 OutApr 5 7:28 PM


  • Scott Rolen single to center scored Brandon Phillips. Runners on first and second with one out and Jonny Gomes due up.

    Astros 0, Reds 1  Bot 1, 1 OutApr 5 7:22 PM


  • Michael Bourn grounded out second to first. None on with one out and Angel Sanchez due up.

    Apr 5 7:12 PM

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