Astros leave Cincy on a high note

Sunday’s 5-1 win over the Reds gave the Astros a series victory in their final visit to Cincinnati as a member of the National League. Houston hitters got on track early against Reds starter and league ERA leader Johnny Cueto as Jimmy Paredes, Brian Bogusevic, and Brett Wallace slapped three straight singles to start the game.  Fernando Martinez brought Paredes home with a sacrifice fly before Matt Dominguez hit into an inning ending double-play.

Edgar Gonzalez (Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE)

Dominguez would get another chance with two runners aboard in the third inning, and this time he didn’t disappoint. The Astros rookie third-baseman launched a 3-run homer to the leftfield bleachers to extend the lead to 4-0. The Astros knocked Cueto out of the game after only four innings, handing the Reds hurler his eighth loss of the year.

Tyler Greene added a solo homer off Tony Cingrani for the Astros fifth run of the afternoon. Cingrani, a third round pick in last year’s draft, was making his big league debut. The lefty from Rice University worked three innings, allowing only one hit while striking out five.

But it was the Astros pitching staff that was the story of this game. Edgar Gonzalez was outstanding in his second start for the Astros but left the game after five innings with what the Astros are calling a minor injury to his right foot. Wesley Wright came in and struck out the side in the sixth and Mickey Storey followed with two scoreless innings of work. Wilton Lopez sealed the deal with a scoreless ninth, giving Gonzalez his second straight win. Astros pitchers combined for fourteen strikeouts on the afternoon.

The Astros finished the road trip with a 3-3 record and return home for the next seven games, three against the Cubs and four with Philadelphia. Infielders Jose Altuve, Scott Moore, and Brandon Laird are all still listed as day-to-day with nagging injuries.

Jed Lowrie got four at-bats as the DH Saturday night for Lancaster and is scheduled to see his first action in the field tonight. The JetHawks won Game 1 of their series against High Desert in twelve innings. Domingo Santana drove home Delino DeShields Jr. for the winning run to help Lancaster edge closer in their quest for the California League Championship.