The Reds jumped on Stros relievers Backe and Miceli for five runs in the sixth to take control and then cruised to a 7-4 win on Friday night at Great American Ballpark.
Andy Pettitte muddled through five innings for the Stros, giving up two runs on four hits, but walking four, which jumped his pitch count. Backe and Miceli stunk up the joint in the sixth, and Jeff Kent did not look slick, either, making a poor play on the first hit of the inning and failing to make the turn on a double play ball that would have short circuited the big inning. Meanwhile, the Reds’ relievers shut the Stros down after the Stros took a 4-2 lead in the top of the sixth on a Bags dinger and an Ensberg pinch hit (yes, manager Jimy did not start the hottest hitter on the team — simply incredible).
The Rocket takes the hill on Saturday as the Stros try to get back on track after two straight losses. The Stros are 24-17 on the season and still a game in front of the Cubs for first in the NL Central, but now also just a game in front of the surging Reds.