Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

The Cincinnati Reds will attempt to continue their improbable domination of the Houston Astros on Thursday when the two clubs conclude their three-game series with a matinee in Cincinnati.

The Reds blistered Houston rookie Spencer Arrighetti for nine first-inning runs Wednesday and rolled to a 12-5 win, their eighth straight over the Astros dating back to 2016. On Thursday, the Reds will aim for a third straight three-game sweep over the Astros, having turned the trick in 2019 in Cincinnati and 2023 in Houston.

In that span, the Astros have won a pair of World Series titles, advanced to two other World Series and lost in the American League Championship Series three times.

The Reds have qualified for the playoffs just once in that span, getting swept in two games by the Atlanta Braves in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The Reds haven’t won more than 83 games since 2013 when they lost in the National League Wild Card Game after a 90-win season.

Jonathan India kick-started Cincinnati’s nine-run first Wednesday with a 432-foot homer to center, giving him 11 leadoff homers for his career, second only to Pete Rose’s 18 in club history.

Elly De La Cruz erupted Wednesday for three hits, three runs, two doubles, a steal and two RBIs as the Reds recorded their biggest inning since scoring 10 runs in the fourth inning on July 29, 2019, against Pittsburgh.

“Probably the most impressive part of what Elly is doing — and in some ways it’s even more impressive because (he) hasn’t done it yet — to play as hard as he does every night at that position, is on base a lot, does everything full speed,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He’s taking care of himself. He’s learning how to stay on the field. A big part of that is he’s motivated by staying on the field because he loves to play so much.”

The lone bright spot for the Astros on Wednesday was the return of star third baseman Alex Bregman, who missed the previous five games with elbow inflammation. Bregman batted only twice, going 1-for-2 with a double and run scored, and came out in the bottom of the fifth with the game out of hand.

“He didn’t play for five days then he comes out of the gate with a double to right field,” Astros manager Joe Espada said of Bregman. “That’s a good sign.”

The Astros remain hopeful about outfielder Kyle Tucker, who’s been out since June 3 with a shin fracture. He has been doing pregame work before the first two games in Cincinnati in anticipation of a return Thursday or this weekend against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Astros send right-hander Hunter Brown (11-7, 3.55 ERA) to the mound in the series finale. Brown is making his 27th start and 28th appearance of the season.

After starting the year 0-4 with a 9.78 ERA in his first six starts, Brown is 11-3 with a 2.40 ERA in his last 20 starts. Since June 1, Brown ranks first among American League pitchers in ERA (2.12), tied for first in wins (10) and third in opponent OPS (.580). Brown is making his first career start against Cincinnati.

The Reds counter with top pitching prospect Rhett Lowder (0-1, 2.25), making his second big league start.

Last Friday, Lowder made his major league debut and allowed just one run over four innings, pitching out of trouble in the first and third innings. He allowed just two hits but walked four while striking out six.

Lowder left the game after 77 pitches and trailing only 1-0. But the bullpen collapsed. Milwaukee scored 10 runs in the ninth in a 14-0 rout.

–Field Level Media