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Reds glad to put Oswalt behind them

May 3, 2007 - 3:03 PM Cincinnati (13-14) at Houston (11-15) 8:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Cincinnati Reds do not have to worry about Roy Oswalt on Thursday.

After averaging more than nine runs in a three-game winning streak, the Reds were baffled by Oswalt in a 3-1 loss to the Houston Astros on Wednesday. Oswalt improved his career record against the Reds to 18-1.

On Thursday, the Reds will face Wandy Rodriguez (0-3, 4.50), who allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings of a 5-3 loss at Pittsburgh on Thursday. The lefthander is 2-1 with an 8.03 ERA in three lifetime starts against the Reds.

Rodriguez is winless in his last 16 appearances since beating Texas on July 2.

Houston, which has scored more than three runs just three times in their last 11 games, will attempt to win consecutive games for the first time since winning two road games at Cincinnati and Milwaukee on April 19-20.

Eric Milton (0-4, 4.71) seeks his first win of the season for the Reds. The lefthander surrendered three runs and six hits in 4 1/3 innings in Cincinnati's 3-1 loss at Pittsburgh on Friday. Milton is 16-27 since signing a three-year deal worth $25 million with Cincinnati before the 2005 season.

Milton, who has allowed six first-inning runs in his last three starts, is 3-1 with a 3.50 ERA in eight starts against the Astros.