Astros will look to rebound with series against Reds

The Houston Astros will look to put a lopsided loss in their rearview mirror on Monday when they hit the road to begin a three-game interleague series against the Cincinnati Reds.

The American League West-leading Astros capped a 5-3 homestand in unsightly fashion, as they were limited to just seven singles and dropped a 12-0 decision to Toronto on Sunday.

"It doesn't feel good to end a homestand like this, but we're not going to let it sour our belief in what we're doing (and) how we are doing it," Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. "We're one of the best teams in baseball even with some guys (injured)."

Josh Reddick went 5-for-11 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored in the series versus the Blue Jays. The 32-year-old is batting a robust .355 with five homers and 12 RBI on the road this season.

Like Reddick, the Astros have made themselves at home on the road with a 13-2 mark in their last 15 away games.

Houston will look to prevent consecutive defeats for the first time since May 22-23 against the Chicago White Sox when it sends left-hander Wade Miley (6-3, 3.14 ERA) to the mound on Monday.

Miley scattered six hits over six innings in a 4-0 win versus Baltimore on June 9 in his last outing.

The 32-year-old owns a 5-2 record with a 2.89 ERA in 10 career encounters with the Reds, including 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA in six starts at Great American Ball Park.

Miley has faced resistance from Yasiel Puig, who is 6-for-17 with a home run and six walks against the hurler.

Puig excelled during Cincinnati's 11-3 win over Texas on Sunday, launching a two-run homer for the second straight game to highlight his second three-hit performance in three contests. The 28-year old is 10-for-20 with two homers and two doubles during a five-game hitting streak.

"Yasiel has been hitting the ball hard, so it's nice to get ... a little bit of luck, and add that to the (other) balls that he's hitting hard (and) that can turn into something," Cincinnati manager David Bell said. "It would be great to have him going well and feeling good."

Jesse Winker was feeling good after Sunday's game, during which he homered to highlight a career-best four-hit, five-RBI performance. He had four RBI in his previous 30 games.

"He's been hitting the ball hard," Bell said. "The results haven't been there."

Winker was playing in place of rookie outfielder Nick Senzel, who fouled a pitch that caromed off both the ground and his foot before bouncing back toward his face in Saturday's game.

Senzel told Bell that he was willing to play in the series finale versus the Rangers. He did not, however he might return for the opener against the Astros.

Cincinnati right-hander Luis Castillo (6-1, 2.20 ERA) will get the call on Monday. He yielded one earned run in each of his last three outings and 12 total hits over that span, but has just one win to show for it after receiving a no-decision at Cleveland on Tuesday.

Castillo, who has yet to face the Astros in his career, owns a 3-1 mark with a dominating 1.87 ERA in seven starts at home this season.

--Field Level Media