Editor’s note: How good were the 1975 Cincinnati Reds? The best way to end the speculation is to challenge the team with a 162-game season against some great teams. This is a series that will include each game played with the Strat-o-Matic cards and dice, while hoping to reach the 108-54 record that the Reds had that season. Game stories will be published periodically on Press Room Pass through out the year. What’s your predicted victory total?
Cincinnati had its five-game winning streak snapped as the Reds split doubleheader with Houston.
The Reds claimed the opener 5-4, while the Astros took the second contest 4-2.
Fast Start
The Reds scored four times in the first inning of the opener to take control of that affair.
Pete Rose led off with a single against Houston starter and losing pitcher Charlie Morton and one out later, Joe Morgan tripled to put the Reds on top.
George Foster, Dan Driessen and Cesar Geronimo each drove in a run to make it 4-0.
Reds starter Jack Billingham held the Astros scoreless until the fifth when he gave up a two-run single to George Springer.
In the sixth, a pinch-hit RBI ground out by Ken Griffey gave the Reds a 5-2 advantage.
A two-run blast off Will McEnaney by Houston’s Carlos Correa in the eighth closed the gap to 5-4, but that was as close as the Astros could get.
Billingham (3-0) got the win as he worked into the sixth frame. Rawly Eastwick allowed a hit in the ninth, but has able to put the game away to earn his fourth save of the season.
Game Two
The Reds got started in the first again with a RBI double by Dave Concepcion.
The lead wouldn’t last as the Astros scored twice in the fourth against Reds starter Pat Darcy (0-1), who lost his first decision of the season.
Alex Bregman knocked in a run with a single and then Houston took the lead when Springer walked with the bases loaded.
Cameron Maybin‘s sacrifice fly put the Astros up 3-1 and ended Darcy’s day in the fifth.
Springer’s homer in the sixth off Clay Carroll was the final run for the Astros.
Terry Crowley had a pinch-hit RBI single in the seventh off Houston winning pitcher Lance McCullers Jr.
Despite Cincinnati being able to load the bases in the ninth against Houston closer Ken Giles, the Reds were unable to score as he earned a save.
The Reds continue their home stand as they welcome the New York Giants to Riverfront Stadium for a two-game series.
Clay Kirby makes his second start of the season, while the Giants counter with Don Liddle.
National League Standings
(Records involve games only with Reds)
East Division
1967 Cardinals (0-0)
1969 Mets (0-0)
1971 Pirates (0-0)
1975 Expos (0-0)
2008 Phillies (0-0)
2016 Cubs (0-0)
West Division
1975 Reds (10-5)
1954 Giants (0-0)
1957 Braves (0-0)
1975 Padres (1-2)
1981 Dodgers (2-5)
2017 Astros (1-3)