Reds score nine runs in first inning, defeat Astros 12-5

The Cincinnati Reds (67-73) defeated the Houston Astros (75-64) 12-5 on Wednesday night.

These are our post-match conclusions:

Nine-run first inning

The Reds exploded with a nine-run first inning. Jonathan India started the game with a leadoff homer. TJ Friedl gave the Reds a 2-0 lead when he doubled to drive in Elly De La Cruz. Ty France singled to drive in Friedl and Amed Rosario followed with a two-run double to extend the Reds’ lead to five.

De La Cruz, batting for the second time in the inning, hit a two-run single to make it 7-0 for the Reds. Tyler Stephenson capped the nine-run inning with a two-run single.

The Reds would score a run in the third inning on a single by Stephenson and add two more in the fifth on a pair of singles by Friedl and Steer.

Cincinnati scored 12 runs and allowed 14 hits.

Martinez’s solid effort

Nick Martinez was given a big lead and allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings, but only one of them was earned. He allowed six hits, walked three and struck out seven. Martinez threw 107 pitches on a day when the Reds really needed some length from their starter.

Brent Suter closed the game by pitching 3 1/3 innings of one-run baseball and striking out six. It was his first save of the season.

Next

The Reds and Astros will play the series finale on Thursday at 1:10 ET.

News and notes

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