HOUSTON \u2014 Elly De La Cruz hit a three-run homer in Cincinnati\u2019s 10-run first inning as the Reds pounced on Lance McCullers early and held on for a 13-9 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
The Reds beat the Astros 13-9 Saturday night, scoring 10 runs in the first inning
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Elly De La Cruz had a three-run homer
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The series finale is on Sunday<\/p>\n
McCullers (0-1), who was making just his second start since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series, struggled with command. He walked leadoff hitter TJ Friedl before plunking Matt McLain on the backside.<\/p>\n
Cruz then smacked an opposite field homer to left field to make it 3-0.<\/p>\n
McCullers walked two more batters with one out before Tyler Stephenson hit an RBI single. Will Benson followed with an RBI double to make it 5-0 and chase McCullers.<\/p>\n
He was replaced by Logan VanWey but the Reds kept piling on, sending 15 batters to the plate before Santiago Espinal finally struck out to end the inning.<\/p>\n
McLain hit a two-run homer in the third inning to make it 12-1.<\/p>\n
Victor Caratini hit a two-run homer in the third as part of six Astros runs that cut the lead to five. An RBI single by Jeremy Pe\u00f1a got Houston within 12-8 in the fifth. But Cincinnati\u2019s big first inning was too much for Houston to overcome as it lost for the fourth time in six games.<\/p>\n
Cincinnati starter Brady Singer allowed nine hits and seven runs in 2 1\/3 innings and Graham Ashcraft (3-3) yielded one hit and struck out four in 1 2\/3 innings for the win.<\/p>\n