GAME THREAD: NL: CINCINNATI (19-33) at HOUSTON (21-29)

NL: CINCINNATI (19-33) at HOUSTON (21-29)

<h3>Reds visit Astros in matchup of struggling teams</h3>



<div class="pre">Cincinnati (19-33) at Houston (21-29) 8:05 pm EDT</div>

HOUSTON (Ticker) - It will be a case of bad meeting worse whenthe Houston Astros open a three-game series with the CincinnatiReds on Tuesday.

The Astros have lost eight consecutive games and are hosting aReds team that owns the worst record in the National Leagueafter dropping 16 of their last 21 games.

Houston is likely relieved to be returning to Minute Maid Parkafter an 0-7 road trip. Still, the Astros have managed just an11-12 record here this season.

Jason Jennings (0-1, 3.00 ERA) will start for the Astros, whohave scored just 16 runs in their losing streak. Jenningsis making his first start since April 8 after being sidelinedwith tendinitis in his right elbow.

Reds hurler Matt Belisle (4-4, 4.65) hopes this start againstthe Astros is different from the last one. Houston beat Belisleon May 9, courtesy of three unearned runs. The rigthhanderpitched seven innings in the loss, allowing six hitsand striking out a season-high seven batters.

The Reds ended a six-game skid with a 4-0 win over thePittsburgh Pirates on Monday, but may have lost Ryan Freel for awhile.

The center fielder was carried off on a stretcher in the thirdinning after a collision with right fielder Norris Hopper. Freelhad contusions on his head and neck.

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI AT HOUSTON -- LINEUPS

CINCINNATI HOUSTON
AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI
Norris Hopper CF .244 0 0 Morgan Ensberg 3B .230 5 14
Scott Hatteberg 1B .303 4 17 Mark Loretta 1B .337 0 11
Ken Griffey Jr RF .291 11 30 Lance Berkman RF .254 5 24
Brandon Phillips 2B .284 9 28 Carlos Lee LF .311 10 45
Adam Dunn LF .263 14 32 Hunter Pence CF .365 4 18
Edwin Encarnacion 3B .242 3 21 Craig Biggio 2B .228 3 16
Alex Gonzalez SS .268 10 22 Adam Everett SS .204 1 8
David Ross C .218 6 17 Brad Ausmus C .242 0 6
Matt Belisle RHP .000 0 1 Jason Jennings RHP .000 0 0
(4-4, 4.65) (0-1, 3.00)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI AT HOUSTON -- REVISED LINEUPS

CINCINNATI HOUSTON
AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI
Norris Hopper CF .244 0 0 Morgan Ensberg 3B .230 5 14
Scott Hatteberg 1B .303 4 17 Mark Loretta 1B .337 0 11
Ken Griffey Jr RF .291 11 30 Lance Berkman RF .254 5 24
Brandon Phillips 2B .284 9 28 Carlos Lee LF .311 10 45
Adam Dunn LF .263 14 32 Hunter Pence CF .365 4 18
Edwin Encarnacion 3B .242 3 21 Craig Biggio 2B .228 3 16
Alex Gonzalez SS .268 10 22 Adam Everett SS .204 1 8
Chad Moeller C .273 1 1 Brad Ausmus C .242 0 6
Matt Belisle RHP .000 0 1 Jason Jennings RHP .000 0 0
(4-4, 4.65) (0-1, 3.00)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON
WARMUPS: CIN - MATT BELISLE (4-4, 4.65)
HOU - JASON JENNINGS (0-1, 3.00)

UMPIRES: HP - ROB DRAKE
1B - BILL WELKE
2B - LAZ DIAZ
3B - WALLY BELL

WEATHER: INDOORS</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON
STARTING BATS: CIN - MATT BELISLE AND CHAD MOELLER
HOU - JASON JENNINGS AND BRAD AUSMUS

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: N HOPPER (.244, 0 HR, 0 RBI)
S HATTEBERG (.303, 4 HR, 17 RBI)
K GRIFFEY J (.291, 11 HR, 30 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 1 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 (BOT 1)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
HOU - JASON JENNINGS

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M ENSBERG (.230, 5 HR, 14 RBI)
M LORETTA (.337, 0 HR, 11 RBI)
L BERKMAN (.254, 5 HR, 24 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (0) VS HOUSTON (0) - MID 1ST - IN PROGRESS

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Hopper cf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .261
S Hatteberg 1b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .303
K Griffey Jr rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .289
B Phillips 2b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .284
A Dunn lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .261
E Encarnacion 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242
A Gonzalez ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .268
C Moeller c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
M Belisle p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 3 0 1 0 2 0 3

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Dunn 1. GIDP - K Griffey
Jr. Team LOB - 2.


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
M Ensberg 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .230
M Loretta 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .337
L Berkman rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .254
C Lee lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .311
H Pence cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .365
C Biggio 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .228
A Everett ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .204
B Ausmus c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242
J Jennings p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Biggio-A Everett-M Loretta).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 0 -- 0
HOUSTON - -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.65

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 2.77

Pitches-strikes: J Jennings 28-15. Ground balls-fly balls: J Jennings 3-0.
Batters faced: J Jennings 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Rob Drake. 1B--Bill Welke. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Wally Bell.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON
CONFIRMED STARTERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
HOU - JASON JENNINGS</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 1 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 (TOP 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
HOU - JASON JENNINGS

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: E ENCARNACION (.242, 3 HR, 21 RBI)
A GONZALEZ (.268, 10 HR, 22 RBI)
C MOELLER (.273, 1 HR, 1 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (0) VS HOUSTON (0) - END 1ST - IN PROGRESS

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Hopper cf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .261
S Hatteberg 1b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .303
K Griffey Jr rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .289
B Phillips 2b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .284
A Dunn lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .261
E Encarnacion 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242
A Gonzalez ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .268
C Moeller c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
M Belisle p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 3 0 1 0 2 0 3

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Dunn 1. GIDP - K Griffey
Jr. Team LOB - 2.


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
M Ensberg 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .228
M Loretta 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
L Berkman rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .253
C Lee lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .311
H Pence cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .365
C Biggio 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .228
A Everett ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .204
B Ausmus c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242
J Jennings p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 1 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Biggio-A Everett-M Loretta).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 0 -- 0
HOUSTON - 0 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.57

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 2.77

Pitches-strikes: M Belisle 14-7; J Jennings 28-15. Ground balls-fly balls: M
Belisle 2-0; J Jennings 3-0. Batters faced: M Belisle 3; J Jennings 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Rob Drake. 1B--Bill Welke. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Wally Bell.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 0 2 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 (BOT 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
HOU - JASON JENNINGS

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: C LEE (.311, 10 HR, 45 RBI)
H PENCE (.365, 4 HR, 18 RBI)
C BIGGIO (.228, 3 HR, 16 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (0) VS HOUSTON (0) - MID 2ND - IN PROGRESS

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Hopper cf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .261
S Hatteberg 1b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .303
K Griffey Jr rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .289
B Phillips 2b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .284
A Dunn lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .261
E Encarnacion 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .240
A Gonzalez ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .272
C Moeller c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .261
M Belisle p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 6 0 2 0 2 0 4

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Dunn 1. GIDP - K Griffey
Jr, C Moeller. Team LOB - 2.


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
M Ensberg 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .228
M Loretta 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
L Berkman rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .253
C Lee lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .311
H Pence cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .365
C Biggio 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .228
A Everett ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .204
B Ausmus c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242
J Jennings p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 3 0 0 0 0 1 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.

FIELDING: DP: 2 (C Biggio-A Everett-M Loretta, A Everett-M Loretta).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 00 -- 0
HOUSTON - 0 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.57

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 2.57

Pitches-strikes: M Belisle 14-7; J Jennings 41-25. Ground balls-fly balls: M
Belisle 2-0; J Jennings 6-0. Batters faced: M Belisle 3; J Jennings 8.

UMPIRES: HP--Rob Drake. 1B--Bill Welke. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Wally Bell.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - SCORING UPDATE
TRIPLE BY ADAM EVERETT SCORED CRAIG BIGGIO.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, 0 LEFT ON, 3 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: CINCINNATI 0
HOUSTON 1 END BOTTOM, 2ND</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 0 2 0
HOUSTON 0 1 1 2 0 (TOP 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
HOU - JASON JENNINGS

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: M BELISLE (.000, 0 HR, 1 RBI)
N HOPPER (.261, 1-FOR-1)
S HATTEBERG (.303, 0-FOR-0, BB)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (0) VS HOUSTON (1) - END 2ND - IN PROGRESS

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Hopper cf 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .261
S Hatteberg 1b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .303
K Griffey Jr rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .289
B Phillips 2b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .284
A Dunn lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .261
E Encarnacion 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .240
A Gonzalez ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .272
C Moeller c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .261
M Belisle p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 6 0 2 0 2 0 4

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Dunn 1. GIDP - K Griffey
Jr, C Moeller. Team LOB - 2.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - N Hopper (A Everett at Home).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
M Ensberg 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .228
M Loretta 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
L Berkman rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .253
C Lee lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .309
H Pence cf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .362
C Biggio 2b 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .232
A Everett ss 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .209
B Ausmus c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242
J Jennings p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 7 1 2 1 0 2 0

BATTING: 2B - C Biggio (14, M Belisle). 3B - A Everett (1, M Belisle). RBI - A
Everett (9). 2-out RBI - A Everett. Team LOB - 0.

FIELDING: DP: 2 (C Biggio-A Everett-M Loretta, A Everett-M Loretta).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 00 -- 0
HOUSTON - 01 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 2 2 1 1 0 2 0 4.64

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 2.57

Pitches-strikes: M Belisle 29-16; J Jennings 41-25. Ground balls-fly balls: M
Belisle 2-1; J Jennings 6-0. Batters faced: M Belisle 7; J Jennings 8.

UMPIRES: HP--Rob Drake. 1B--Bill Welke. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Wally Bell.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 0 0 3 0
HOUSTON 0 1 1 2 0 (BOT 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
HOU - JASON JENNINGS

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: B AUSMUS (.242, 0 HR, 6 RBI)
J JENNINGS (.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI)
M ENSBERG (.228, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (0) VS HOUSTON (1) - MID 3RD - IN PROGRESS

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Hopper cf 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 .255
S Hatteberg 1b 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .301
K Griffey Jr rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .288
B Phillips 2b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .284
A Dunn lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .261
E Encarnacion 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .240
A Gonzalez ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .272
C Moeller c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .261
M Belisle p 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .071

Totals 10 0 3 0 2 0 6

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Dunn 1, K Griffey Jr 1.
GIDP - K Griffey Jr, C Moeller. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - N Hopper (A Everett at Home).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
M Ensberg 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .228
M Loretta 1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
L Berkman rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .253
C Lee lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .309
H Pence cf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .362
C Biggio 2b 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .232
A Everett ss 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .209
B Ausmus c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242
J Jennings p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 7 1 2 1 0 2 0

BATTING: 2B - C Biggio (14, M Belisle). 3B - A Everett (1, M Belisle). RBI - A
Everett (9). 2-out RBI - A Everett. Team LOB - 0.

FIELDING: DP: 2 (C Biggio-A Everett-M Loretta, A Everett-M Loretta).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 000 -- 0
HOUSTON - 01 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 2 2 1 1 0 2 0 4.64

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 3 3 0 0 2 0 0 2.40

Pitches-strikes: M Belisle 29-16; J Jennings 53-33. Ground balls-fly balls: M
Belisle 2-1; J Jennings 9-0. Batters faced: M Belisle 7; J Jennings 12.

UMPIRES: HP--Rob Drake. 1B--Bill Welke. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Wally Bell.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 0 0 3 0
HOUSTON 0 1 0 1 3 0 (TOP 4)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
HOU - JASON JENNINGS

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: B PHILLIPS (.284, 0-FOR-0, BB)
A DUNN (.261, 0-FOR-1)
E ENCARNACION (.240, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (0) VS HOUSTON (1) - END 3RD - IN PROGRESS

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N Hopper cf 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 .255
S Hatteberg 1b 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .301
K Griffey Jr rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 .288
B Phillips 2b 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 .284
A Dunn lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .261
E Encarnacion 3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .240
A Gonzalez ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .272
C Moeller c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .261
M Belisle p 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .071

Totals 10 0 3 0 2 0 6

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Dunn 1, K Griffey Jr 1.
GIDP - K Griffey Jr, C Moeller. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - N Hopper (A Everett at Home).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
M Ensberg 3b 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 .234
M Loretta 1b 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 .330
L Berkman rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .253
C Lee lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .309
H Pence cf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .362
C Biggio 2b 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .232
A Everett ss 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .209
B Ausmus c 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .240
J Jennings p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .000

Totals 11 1 3 1 0 3 1

BATTING: 2B - C Biggio (14, M Belisle). 3B - A Everett (1, M Belisle). RBI - A
Everett (9). 2-out RBI - A Everett. Team LOB - 1.

FIELDING: DP: 2 (C Biggio-A Everett-M Loretta, A Everett-M Loretta).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 000 -- 0
HOUSTON - 010 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 3 3 1 1 0 3 0 4.57

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 3 3 0 0 2 0 0 2.40

Pitches-strikes: M Belisle 43-27; J Jennings 53-33. Ground balls-fly balls: M
Belisle 3-2; J Jennings 9-0. Batters faced: M Belisle 11; J Jennings 12.

UMPIRES: HP--Rob Drake. 1B--Bill Welke. 2B--Laz Diaz. 3B--Wally Bell.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
HOUSTON 0 1 0 1 3 0 (BOT 4)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
HOU - JASON JENNINGS

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: L BERKMAN (.253, 0-FOR-1)
C LEE (.309, 0-FOR-1)
H PENCE (.362, 0-FOR-1)</div>