Brandon Backe hit his first Major League yak and allowed only one run in seven innings to keep the Stros in the thick of the National League wild-card chase with an 11-5 rout of the Reds at the Juice Box on Monday afternoon.
The Stros have now won 10 straight games, 12 of their last 13, 18 of their last 21, and now are only 1 1/2 games behind the Cubs and Giants for the National League Wild Card playoff spot. The Stros have also won six straight against the Reds while outscoring them 54-16 in those games.
Making only his fourth career start, Backe (3-2) virtually shut down the Reds after giving up three hits and a run-scoring single in the first inning. He gave up only four singles and a walk from that point on, and finished with a career-high eight strikeouts. Backe’s unlikely two-run yak prompted a stancing ovation from the Juice Box crowd of 40,581 that did not cease until Backe re-emerged from the dugout to take a bow.
Bags, Berkman and JK also cranked taters for the Stros, who peppered the horrendous Reds pitching for 12 hits. The Stros have averaged nearly 10 runs a game during their streak.
If Roy O can get take a break from a new baby watch, then he will pitch the Tuesday night game against the Reds with the Rocket following in Wednesday afternoon’s Businessman’s Special. After the Reds close the homestand, the Stros travel to Pittsburgh and St. Louis for a key six game road trip as the Wild Card race approaches the home stretch.