Dontrelle Willis gave up a home run and hit a home run but his fourth quality start ended up being a loss for the Reds.
Willis had trouble getting into a rhythm early. Jason Bourgeois topped a ground ball that stayed fair for an infield hit. J.D. Martinez hit his first career home run to set the young Astros a quick 2-0 lead.
That was all they got off Willis.
The Reds tied the game on Todd Frazier's solo home run in the fifth. Joey Votto doubled in the sixth and scored on a single by Brandon Phillips.
Willis hit his ninth career home run off Houston starter, 20-year old Jodan Lyles.
Dusty Baker decided not to hit for Willis with two out and no one on in the seventh even though he was not going back out for the ninth. Willis was hit hard in the sixth even though he pitched out of a second and third, one-out situation. Jason Michael singled and Jimmy Paredas doubled with one out. Willis struck out Clint Barmes and got Humberto Quintero on a soft ground ball to the mound.
Nick Masset, who had not blown a lead since April 13, walked Brian Bogusevic to start the fateful bottom of the seventh. Bourgeois bunted to move Bogusevic to second. He ended up with a hit when Votto hesitated to throw to first. Jose Altuve bunted too. Masset could not come up with the ball and the bases were loaded.
J.D Martinez got his third hit of the game and ran his RBI total to four, with a hard ground ball past thirdbaseman, Frazier. Masset was ordered to walk Carlos Lee.
Sam LeCure, who had an ERA of 0.61 in his 20 relief outings, got Michael to hit into a 1-2-3 double play. LeCure got Paredes to pop out.
LeCure gave up a home run with two outs in the eighth to Quintero to put the Astros up 5-3.
The Reds made it a one-run game with Jay Bruce hitting a single to start the ninth off Mark Meloncon. He was on third two outs later. Yonder Alonso hit a pinch hit single to make the losing margin one - run.
The Reds had the leadoff man on base in three innings but again didn't come up with the hit, again.
After sweeping the World Champs in Cincinnati, the Reds lost two of three to the World Chumps, a team that has traded three useful starters near the trade deadline. The fell 7 1/2 behind Milwaukee.
The Reds have their work cut out for them but the need to turn it around quickly.
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
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