Rangers 4, Reds 0
Rangers 4, Reds 0: Martin Perez tossed 6 2/3 strong innings while Adrian Beltre collected two hits and an RBI as host Texas claimed the opener of the three-game interleague series.
Elvis Andrus and Jurickson Profar each scored and drove in a run for the Rangers, who kicked off a nine-game homestand with their third straight victory. Cincinnati ace Johnny Cueto exited in the second inning with tightness in his right lat muscle.
Perez (2-1) limited Cincinnati to six singles and a walk while striking out three. The 22-year-old Venezuelan left-hander was followed by Jason Frasor and Robbie Ross, who combined to record the final seven outs to hand the Reds their second consecutive shutout loss.
Cueto (4-2) took the loss despite leaving after throwing only four pitches in the second inning. The right-hander yielded one run and two hits with one strikeout. Tony Cingrani provided little relief, surrendering three runs on four hits and six walks over four innings.
Beltre got Texas on the board in the first with an RBI single, and the Rangers took advantage of Cingrani's lack of control in the second to increase the lead to 3-0. After retiring the first batter he faced, Cingrani walked four of the next six - including Andrus and Nelson Cruz with the bases loaded.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Cueto already has had two stints on the disabled list this season, including one for a strained right lat muscle. ... Profar drove in the Rangers' final run in the fifth with a single. ... Texas has won eight of its last nine games, while Cincinnati has dropped seven of nine. The Reds have been outscored 33-15 while going 1-5 on their eight-game road trip.