Adam Everett and Chris Burke had three hits apiece and Roy Oswalt pitched six strong innings to lead the Astros to a 7-3 victory over the wild-card leading Reds at Great American Ballpark.
Oswalt, improving to 10-8 on the year, came out shaky as he gave up a pair of runs on three hits to the first three hitters leading off the game, but retired the next three and allowed only two more hits while punching out seven through his six complete innings.
The offense took the first four innings off, although they had runners on every inning. Reds starter Chris Michalak, a left handed 35 year old journeyman minor leaguer held the Astros scoreless until Everett turned on an 84 mph inside fastball and jerked it into the seats in left for a solo shot leading off the fifth. Michalak was removed after allowing a single to Brad Ausmus and a sac bunt from Oswalt leading off the seventh. Righthander Todd Coffey relieved and failed to retire an Astro. Willy Taveras walked to put runners on first and second with one out. Burke hit a solid single to left, and with Ausmus chugging around third trying to score, Reds leftfielder Adam Dunn scooped the ball and air-mailed it over the catchers head as Ausmus scored the tying run easily and both runners advanced. Lance Berkman was intentionally walked to load the bases, bringing Morgan Ensberg to the dish. Coffey had a 1-1 count when he threw at belt-high FB that home plate ump Wally Bell called ball two. Reds catcher Ross turned and argued with Bell about the call. The next pitch was a low inside FB called ball three that brought a verbal outburst and hand gestures from Coffey that got him tossed. With the count stuck at 3-1, the Reds new reliever had all the time he needed to get warm, causing a long delay in the action. When Ryan Franklin finally pitched, he got strike two but the next pitch was ball four to walk in the go ahead run. Franklin appeared in the game, but technically did not face a batter, as Coffey was charged with the walk. Aubrey Huff was announced as the pinch hitter for J.R. House, bringing in Reds lefty Rheal Cormier. Huff foiled strategy again, this time with a two-run single just past the shortstop. Jason Lane hit an RBI single, followed by an RBI double to right center from Everett as the Astros broke open the game with the six run inning.
Russ Springer allowed a run in the 7th, Trever Miller continued his good work with a hitless 8th, and Dan Wheeler got out of a small jamb in the 9th to close it out.
Taveras had a bunt single gift to extend his hitting streak to a team record 26 games.
The Astros continue their road trip in Pittsburgh for a four game series starting with a battle of young southpaws tomorrow night at 6:05 cst, Wandy Rodriguez vs. Tom Gorzelanny.