Reds Beat Astros 6-4

Reds pitcher Homer Bailey would certainly not decline earning win No. 9 of the season for a career high. But it came with a hint of the bittersweet.

After the Reds took a 6-4 victory over the Astros Tuesday to snap a four-game losing streak, Bailey wondered more of what could have been. He had two lengthy stints on the disabled list with shoulder problems this season, which has limited him to 21 starts.

"My No. 1 priority for next year is to stay healthy," said Bailey, who is 9-7 with a 4.32 ERA this season. "I know some of the injuries I've gone through probably couldn't have been helped. Nonetheless, they happened.

"If you look at how many wins-per-start I've had the last couple of years, if you get a full season in there, they're always right around 15. That's what really upsets me the most. If I could go out there, get the 30-35 starts, get the numbers, I'll be right around to 14, 16-17 wins a year. But these are the cards I've been dealt."

Against the Astros, Bailey has been aces. In five starts vs. the team from his home state, he is 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA. On Tuesday, he gave up two runs and six hits over seven innings with two walks and five strikeouts.

"He's had some good outings against us, there's no doubt," Astros skipper Brad Mills said.

It was also a nice evening as a hitter for Bailey, who notched a career-high three hits as a batter, going 3-for-3. His average jumped from .235 to .297.

"That's what happens when you get hurt and miss a lot of games," Bailey replied.

Bailey's hits were certainly welcomed, considering the Reds notched all of eight hits in their previous three games and scored only four runs. Cincinnati compiled 14 hits in the game against Houston.

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