The Game of Baseball

The two-out base hit was the order of the day as the Houston Astros recorded 6 - yes, 6 - consecutive 2-out hits against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday in an explosive 4th inning, leading the Astros to their 4th straight win, 9-3, over the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Houston was led by Darrin Erstad and Hunter Pence with 3 hits apiece, with Pence adding a double, 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs; Carlos Lee and Mark Loretta added 2 hits each. The win went to Chris Sampson (1-2) as he pitched 7 innings, allowing 8 hits, 2 earned runs, walking 1 while striking out 6. Cincinnati was led by the trio of Jerry Hairston, Jr., Brandon Phillips and David Ross with 2 hits each while Ken Griffey, Jr. and Edwin Encarnacion hit a HR each - for Griffey it was his 4th of the year while Encarnacion hit his 6th. Losing pitcher Brandon Arroyo (0-3) pitched only 3 2/3 innings, allowing 10 hits, 8 earned runs, walking 1 while striking out 5. Houston (10-12) plays again on Thursday as they face Cincinnati (9-13); rookie Jack Cassel (1-1) takes the mound for Houston while rookie Johnny Cueto (1-1) gets the start for Cincinnati.