Nick Senzel delivered an RBI single with two out in the ninth and Jesse Winker followed with a single that produced the winning run as the Reds swept the Astros for a 3-2 win.
After being 7-14 in one-run games, the Reds are 12-15, including all three wins over Houston.
"It was so much fun," David Bell said. "I am just happy to see those guys come through. It can go a long way. It was a great series against a really good team. The guys wanted to be up in those situations. Our pitching has been doing it all year. Our offense that's what it takes to win game. It's easy when you score eight or nine runs but when you have to go out there and fight for every run with big hits like that's what it takes to win big games against good teams."
Roberto Osuna entered the game in the ninth looking for his 18th save in his 20th try. Peraza led off with a double. Tucker Barnhart batted for Casali and struck out. Joey Votto, who was getting a day off batted for Bowman. Votto took a called third strike. Sensel's single to left and a throwing error by Brantley put Senzel in position to score the winning run. Winker's ground single made the Reds a winner.
"We have to find a way to win those games," said Bell in the middle of their string of one-run losses.
The key to winning rather than going into extra-innings was Senzel getting to second base on the throw to the plate. A good throw by Michael Brantley would have been close to getting Jose Per
"I pretty much messed up there," Senzel said. "I should have taken second base right away. You get caught up in the moment there but it is no excuse."
The rookie learned a lesson when first base coach, Delino DeShields told him he should have taken second right away.
Senzel got caught up in watching the play at the plate rather than sprinting to put himself in scoring position. It was fortunate that the ball got away from the catcher, Garrett Stubbs and Osuna wasn't in place to back it up.
"It was a good send by J.R. (House)," Bell said of the third base coach.
It is nice to learn a hard lesson in a win.
"I told you guys when I first got here that it was only a matter of time before we start clicking," Senzel said. "I didn't know when it was going to be. but I'm hoping this is it right here."
Winker was the next man up and knocked in the game winner.
"It was a big win it was huge," Winker said. "That's a really, really good team."
Bell talked about players wanting to be up in key situations and have the ball hit to them.
"I think every guy in this clubhouse is one of those players," Winker said.
As eager as they were to get after it, they had to sit out another rain delay. This one took 31 minutes out of their lives.
When the sun started shining, Reds' starter Tyler Mahle followed suit. He allowed a harmless single by Michael Branley. Jose Altuve, starting his first game after coming off the injured list hit into a double play. He was the first of 12 batters retired by Mahle.
Yasiel Puig's 14th home run leading off the second inning, lining it into the left field stands off Houston starter Garrit Cole. Cole, a former Pirate had a dismal 1-8 record against the Reds.
The Reds wasted three scoring chances against Cole.
Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez singled with two out in the third. Cole struck out Derek Dietrich to end the inning. Jose Iglesias singled with one out in the fourth and went to third on Jose Peraza's single but Cole struck out Curt Casali and Mahle. Winker singled and Dietrich walked with two outs in the fifth but Puig struck out.
Mahle, who complained bitterly about coming out of games prematurely, nursed the lead until the sixth inning which started out well for the right-hander. He struck out Jake Marisnick and Cole to start the sixth. Alex Bregman singled sharply to center. Mahle quickly put Brantley into an 0-2 hole but hit his 11th home run to put the Astros in the lead.
"It was one of Mahle's best games," Bell said.
"It is great to go seven against a team like that," Mahle said.
Brantley singled again in the eighth with Tony Kemp on second base and two outs against Matt Bowman. Winker fielded the single on one hop then threw a strike home to Casali, who applied the tag.
Bowman pitched two scoreless innings to keep the game close and earn the win.
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