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Reds outslug Astros

Jun 3, 2012 - 4:19 AM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Brandon Phillips hit the go-ahead RBI double in the sixth inning, as Cincinnati wasted an early six-run lead but rebounded to batter Houston, 12-9, in the second of three between the clubs.

Phillips ended with two hits and three RBI, Drew Stubbs collected three hits including a three-run homer, and drove in four for the Reds, who have won the first two in the series and five of seven overall.

Joey Votto finished 4-for-4 with a two-run shot and scored three times for Cincinnati. Sam LeCure (1-1) tossed two scoreless relief frames for the win.

J.D. Martinez totaled two hits and three RBI, Jed Lowrie added a two-run blast and Fernando Martinez drove in a pair for the Astros, losers of eight in a row.

Fernando Rodriguez (1-6) was charged with the deciding run to suffer the loss.

Beginning the sixth tied at 9-9, Rodriguez retired the first two batters but allowed a Votto single followed by Phillips' go-ahead two-bagger to give Cincinnati the lead for good.

Phillips provided two more insurance runs off Brandon Lyon in the eighth, singling home Zack Cozart and Stubbs for a three-run margin.

Aroldis Chapman closed the door in the ninth, working around a one-out walk to Chris Johnson by fanning Fernando Martinez and Matt Downs.

The Reds got three in the first on Stubbs' RBI double and a two-run shot from Votto, but the Astros countered in the home half on a Lowrie two-run homer.

Frazier gave Cincy back some cushion with a leadoff home run in the second. Ryan Hanigan then walked, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, went to third on an error that allowed Cozart to reach base and scored on Stubbs' three-run shot to left. Votto followed with a single and scored two batters later on a Chris Heisey RBI hit for an 8-2 lead.

Houston began its comeback in the home third as a J.D. Martinez groundout and Fernando Martinez two-run double made it 8-5. In the fourth, Jordan Schafer and Johnson each posted an RBI single sandwiched around a two-run hit from J.D. Martinez that put the Astros up 9-8.

Ludwick took away the momentum, starting the fifth with a solo homer to once again tie the contest.

Game Notes

Cincinnati has won four straight over Houston this season and six of the last seven meetings dating back to the end of last season...Reds starter Mat Latos lasted just 3 1/3 innings, charged with seven hits and seven runs -- four earned -- while fanning five and walking one...His counterpart Wandy Rodriguez worked five full frames, giving up nine hits and nine runs -- seven earned -- with two walks and three strikeouts...Votto has an active 20-game hitting streak at Minute Maid Park and is a career .426 hitter in the stadium.