Lyles (r): performs suicide squeeze
(c) Associated Press
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Last year, Jordan Lyles had a difficult time getting his first win. On some occasions, he pitched well enough but the bullpen would squander the lead and he'd finish with a no-decision. Lyles must have had flashbacks on Sunday as a 5-3 lead disappeared after his exit and Cincinnati emerged with a 6-5 verdict on Jay Bruce's fourth home run in four games.
Before anyone could yell "don't throw that to him" to new pitcher Fernando Rodriguez, Bruce sent his first pitch in the bottom of the eighth into the right field seats for the game-winner. Rodriguez then filled the bases but struck out two Redlegs to escape with no further damage.
Sean Marshall had a quick 1-2-3 ninth for the save as the Astros fell to 2-4 on the road trip.
Jose Altuve had three hits and scored twice while Jed Lowrie smacked a two-run homer and Matt Downs (subbing for injured Carlos Lee) launched a solo shot to give Lyles a two-run cushion after six innings. The young righty, just called up from Oklahoma City, allowed three runs and four hits while striking out five. Lyles also successfully put down a suicide squeeze bunt in the second to score Chris Johnson who had doubled.
Down 5-3, the Reds put two runners aboard in the seventh against Wilton Lopez before David Carpenter came in from the bullpen. Carpenter got the first two batters he faced before Joey Votto bounced a two-run double down the right field line to tie the game.
Votto had earlier ignited a two-run bomb off Lyles in the fourth that created a 2-2 tie. Votto's four RBIs set the stage for Bruce's heroics.
The Astros return to Houston for the start of a three-game series against the New York Mets. Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (3-1) will pitch for Gotham in the Monday 7:05 Central opener against Houston's Bud Norris (1-1).
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