Roger Clemens won his 326th career win as the Stros cranked four first-inning yaks to beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-2 Wednesday afternoon and tie a club record with their 12th straight win.
The Stros have now won 13 of their last 14 games, 20 of their last 23, and have, with the Cubs’ loss to the Expos, taken at least a share of the lead for the National League Wild Card playoff spot. The Stros have also won eight straight against the Reds while outscoring them 68-25 in those games.
Clemens (16-4) won his fourth straight start, allowing only four hits in seven innings. He gave up his only run in the first on a sacrifice fly, and the Reds could manage only three singles over Clemens’ next six innings. The Rocket finished with six strikeouts and two walks.
After three of the Stros AAA relief corps pitched in the eighth, Brad Lidge pitched the ninth to gain his 21st save in 24 chances. With runners at the corners and two outs, Lidge struck out Juan Castro to end the game as the Juice Box crowd went nuts.
After the Reds scored their only run off of Clemens in the top of the first, Bidg led off the bottom of the frame with his yak, then Bags and Berkman hammered back-to-back taters, JK walked, and Mike Lamb hit a two run round tripper for his third home run in the past three games. Although the Stros did not score again, they cranked out 11 hits against seven Reds’ pitchers.
So now its off to Pittsburgh for a twinbill tomorrow and then three more over the weekend before the club moves on to St. Louis for a three game series with the Cards early next week. Looks like Carlos Hernandez and either Tim Redding or Brandon Duckworth will get the starts in the doubleheader tomorrow. Bullpen, get ready.