Cincinnati Reds versus Houston Astros live streaming online radio audio espn feed major league May 11, 2011. The Cincinnati Reds have looked like anything but a sub-.500 team since falling below that mark a little more than a week ago.
Seeking a seventh win in eight games overall, the visiting Reds try for a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros and a fifth consecutive victory in the series Wednesday.
Since that defeat, however, the Reds have thrived, outscoring opponents 35-17 en route to winning six of seven, including Tuesday's 7-3 victory at Houston.
"With the team that we have it just builds so much confidence in me knowing that your bullpen is always backing you up, to have the run support and also the great defense we have," said Homer Bailey, Tuesday's winning pitcher.
After a routine day off Monday, Joey Votto returned to go 3 for 5 with three RBIs and Jay Bruce continued his hot hitting with his fourth home run of May.
"I'm just trying to take consistent at-bats and swings at quality pitches, and it's worked out so far this month," Bruce told the Reds' official website.
While the Reds rank first in the NL in homers (42) and second in runs (186), their starters have also stepped up, going 5-0 with a 1.43 ERA during the last seven games.
"In the big picture, we handled ourselves pretty well," said pitching coach Bryan Price. "Right now we're what we envisioned in February."
Given Edinson Volquez's success at Minute Maid Park, he seems to have a good chance at continuing the Reds' sharp pitching.
The right-hander beat Houston at home on April 6, improving to 5-0 in the series despite giving up four runs, five hits and five walks in the 12-4 win.
Volquez, whose win total versus the Astros is his highest against any opponent, has struck out 21 in 19 2/3 innings and compiled a 1.37 ERA en route to winning all three of his career starts in Houston.
Volquez (3-1, 5.63 ERA), however, labored during a 5-4 road win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday. He gave up four runs -- three earned -- and six hits over five innings, walking four to give him 28 bases on balls this season, tied for the most in the majors.
Houston's Carlos Lee is hitless in 12 career at-bats against Volquez while Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence are a combined 5 for 28 with 11 strikeouts.
Pence, though, had two RBIs on Tuesday and is batting .345 during a 14-game hitting streak.
After going 1/3 with a 5.40 ERA during his first five starts, Houston's scheduled starter Wandy Rodriguez (2-3, 4.00) has posted a 1.20 ERA over his two most recent outings spanning 15 innings.
The left-hander allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings of Friday's 3-2 victory at Pittsburgh.
"He's just in a rhythm, he's got great command of three pitches and he works fast," Pence said. "It's a joy to play behind him and I'm glad we got him a win. ... He's a great pitcher."
Rodriguez has thrived in his last four home starts against the Reds, going 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA and striking out 36 in 26 innings.
He's limited Bruce to one hit with 12 strikeouts in 20 career at-bats.
Seeking a seventh win in eight games overall, the visiting Reds try for a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros and a fifth consecutive victory in the series Wednesday.
2:05 PM ET, May 11, 2011Cincinnati (20-16), which hadn't previously been below .500 since dropping to 14-15 on May 7, 2010, found itself with an identical record after losing 10-4 to the Astros (13-23) on May 3.
Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
Since that defeat, however, the Reds have thrived, outscoring opponents 35-17 en route to winning six of seven, including Tuesday's 7-3 victory at Houston.
After a routine day off Monday, Joey Votto returned to go 3 for 5 with three RBIs and Jay Bruce continued his hot hitting with his fourth home run of May.
"I'm just trying to take consistent at-bats and swings at quality pitches, and it's worked out so far this month," Bruce told the Reds' official website.
While the Reds rank first in the NL in homers (42) and second in runs (186), their starters have also stepped up, going 5-0 with a 1.43 ERA during the last seven games.
"In the big picture, we handled ourselves pretty well," said pitching coach Bryan Price. "Right now we're what we envisioned in February."
Given Edinson Volquez's success at Minute Maid Park, he seems to have a good chance at continuing the Reds' sharp pitching.
The right-hander beat Houston at home on April 6, improving to 5-0 in the series despite giving up four runs, five hits and five walks in the 12-4 win.
Volquez, whose win total versus the Astros is his highest against any opponent, has struck out 21 in 19 2/3 innings and compiled a 1.37 ERA en route to winning all three of his career starts in Houston.
Volquez (3-1, 5.63 ERA), however, labored during a 5-4 road win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday. He gave up four runs -- three earned -- and six hits over five innings, walking four to give him 28 bases on balls this season, tied for the most in the majors.
Houston's Carlos Lee is hitless in 12 career at-bats against Volquez while Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence are a combined 5 for 28 with 11 strikeouts.
Pence, though, had two RBIs on Tuesday and is batting .345 during a 14-game hitting streak.
After going 1/3 with a 5.40 ERA during his first five starts, Houston's scheduled starter Wandy Rodriguez (2-3, 4.00) has posted a 1.20 ERA over his two most recent outings spanning 15 innings.
The left-hander allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings of Friday's 3-2 victory at Pittsburgh.
"He's just in a rhythm, he's got great command of three pitches and he works fast," Pence said. "It's a joy to play behind him and I'm glad we got him a win. ... He's a great pitcher."
Rodriguez has thrived in his last four home starts against the Reds, going 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA and striking out 36 in 26 innings.
He's limited Bruce to one hit with 12 strikeouts in 20 career at-bats.
