Astros Offense Stays Hot in 9-3 Frolic Over Reds

Kazuo Matsui sparked Houston's seven-run rally with a two-run single, and the Astros coasted to their fourth straight victory Wednesday night, 9-3 over the unsettled Cincinnati Reds. Houston has won four in a row for the first time since last May, getting 36 runs out of a lineup producing top-to-bottom.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 597th career homer off Chris Sampson (1-2), the only bright moment for the struggling Reds, who changed general managers before the game. Walt Jocketty took over for Wayne Krivsky, a show of impatience by team owner Bob Castellini. Jocketty watched from an upstairs booth as the Reds lost for the ninth time in 12 games. (More MLB stories.)