Reds at Astros
The first-place Reds go for a sweep Sunday in Houston against the reeling Astros, who have dropped eight straight. Cincinnati won for the fifth time in seven games Saturday thanks to a four-homer outburst. Center fielder Drew Stubbs paced the Reds’ attack with four RBIs, including a three-run homer, while first baseman Joey Votto went 4-for-4 with a homer to up his average to .345.
The Reds are 21-7 when scoring first.
Houston’s beleaguered pitching staff has given up 67 runs in the eight-game skid, an average of 8.4 runs per game.
TV: 2:05 p.m. ET, FS-O, FS-H
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (2-3, 3.59 ERA) vs. Astros RH Jordan Lyles (0-1, 5.73 ERA)
Batters are hitting .294 against Arroyo, who lasted just four innings in his most recent start. Fortunately, he won't have to deal with Astros first baseman Carlos Lee, who's 17-for-53 (.321) against him with five doubles and three homers. Lee is out with a strained left hamstring he suffered Friday night. In 28 career appearances against Houston, Arroyo is 12-6 with a 4.14 ERA.
Lyles was just sent down on Tuesday, but he doesn’t have to spend the necessary 10 days in the minors because he was Houston’s 26th man in Monday’s doubleheader. He’s gone five innings in each of his last three starts, allowing a total of 14 earned runs. Batters are hitting .284 against him.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman hasn’t given up a hit since May 17. In the 7 2/3 innings since, he has faced 25 batters, fanning 14.
2. Astros OF Fernando Martinez, called up to replace Travis Buck (Achilles tendinitis), went 1-for-5 with a two-run double Saturday.
3. Astros SS Jed Lowrie and 2B Jose Altuve have six errors apiece after each committed a miscue Saturday.