Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Matt Dominguez hit a go-ahead, three-run
homer in the ninth inning off Aroldis Chapman on Friday and the Houston Astros
stunned the Cincinnati Reds, 5-3, in the opener of a three-game series from
Great American Ball Park.
It was the second career home run for Dominguez, who was recalled from Triple-
A Oklahoma City on Aug. 30.
Chapman (5-5), meanwhile, suffered his first blown save since June 24. The
hard-throwing lefty, who entered Friday with a 0.30 ERA against NL teams, had
converted a single-season club record 27 consecutive save opportunities.
Lucas Harrell gave up three runs on seven hits in a six-inning start for
the Astros and Hector Ambriz (1-0) recorded the final two outs of the eighth
to pick up the win.
Justin Maxwell hit a first-inning, two-run homer in the win. Jose Altuve went
1-for-2 and scored on Maxwell's two-out homer before exiting with a lower
abdominal strain.
Homer Bailey got the start for the NL Central-leading Reds and allowed two
runs on five hits with a walk and nine strikeouts over 6 2/3 frames.
Cincinnati, which dropped two of three to the Philadelphia Phillies in its
previous series, loaded the bases in the bottom of the first and Ryan Ludwick
delivered a game-tying base hit through the left side of the infield.
With one down in the fifth, Chris Heisey tripled ahead of walks to Joey Votto
(intentional) and Ludwick. Jay Bruce then blooped a single over the head of
shortstop Tyler Greene to push across the go-ahead run.
In the ninth, Greene and J. D. Martinez hit consecutive one-out singles before
Dominguez deposited an 0-1 fastball into the seats in left field.
Wilton Lopez worked around a pair of singles in the home half to record his
third save of the season.
Despite the win, the last-place Astros still trail the Reds by 39 1/2 games in
the division.
Game Notes
Maxwell hit his 14th home run of the season ... Chapman suffered just his
second blown save against the NL this season (5/17 at NYM) ... Votto returned
to the lineup on Wednesday against Philadelphia. He had been out since July 15
due to a pair of surgeries on his left knee ... The Reds lead the season-
series, 9-4.
The Sports Network