Reds score nine in first, cruise past Astros

Field Level Media|published: Wed 4th September, 22:02 2024

Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) hits a RBI double in the first inning of the MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024.

Jonathan India sparked a nine-run first inning with a leadoff homer and Elly De La Cruz doubled, singled and drove in two in the opening inning as the Cincinnati Reds routed the visiting Houston Astros 12-5 on Wednesday night.

De La Cruz finished with three hits, two doubles, three runs scored and two RBIs as the Reds defeated the Astros for an eighth straight time dating to Houston's last win over Cincinnati in 2016.

Cincinnati won its third straight game while Houston, which entered the series with a five-game win streak, lost its second in a row.

The Reds sent 13 batters to the plate in their biggest first inning since scoring seven against Pittsburgh on Aug. 6, 2021, in a 10-0 win over the Pirates.

The Reds set their franchise record for most runs in an inning against the Astros when they scored 14 runs in the first inning of an 18-2 win on Aug. 3, 1989.

The victim of Cincinnati's uprising was Spencer Arrighetti (7-12), the right-hander who carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning of his last start in Philadelphia.

On Wednesday, Arrighetti retired just two batters and threw 38 pitches before being lifted for Tayler Scott. Arrighetti was charged with nine runs and six hits, walking three and striking out none.

Arrighetti's 14 1/3 scoreless inning streak came to an abrupt end when India crushed the right-hander's second pitch 436 feet to center for a leadoff home run, his 11th in a Cincinnati uniform. Only Pete Rose (18) has more in Reds history.

Ty France picked up where he left off on Monday, singling in TJ Friedl for a 3-0 lead, giving France five hits in as many at-bats.

With a massive cushion, Cincinnati starter Nick Martinez (7-6) cruised to his second win in seven starts. Martinez allowed Ben Gamel's RBI single in the second, scoring Alex Bregman. Martinez was charged with four runs -- one earned -- on six hits, striking out seven and walking three over 5 2/3 innings.

Despite entering the game with a 12-3 lead with two outs in the sixth, Brent Suter finished the final 3 1/3 innings for just his second career save in 13 opportunities and first since 2021 with the Milwaukee Brewers.

--Field Level Media