HOUSTON – The way this road trip has looked so far for the Cincinnati Reds, manager Terry Francona was right to sweat when an 11-run lead was quickly knocked down to four after the Astros batted around against two of his pitchers in the third inning Saturday night.

Elly De La Cruz hit a three-run homer in Cincinnati’s 10-run first inning as the Reds pounced on Lance McCullers early and held on for a 13-9 win over the Houston Astros.

Each start Hunter Brown makes strengthens his status in the Houston Astros rotation. The group may be fronted by Framber Valdez, but Brown is its burgeoning ace. Modest support feels monumental when he takes the mound.