Sanchez hits tiebreaking single off Chapman as Astros beat Reds 5-3

Sanchez leads Astros past Reds

HOUSTON — Angel Sanchez hit a tiebreaking two-run single off Aroldis Chapman in the seventh inning and the Houston Astros beat the sputtering Cincinnati Reds 5-3 on Friday night.

Houston starter Wandy Rodriguez took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before giving up a leadoff double to Joey Votto and a three-run homer that gave the Reds a 3-2 lead.

Carlos Lee tied it with a solo homer in the bottom of the inning.

Pinch hitters Jeff Keppinger and Anderson Hernandez each singled in the seventh and Michael Bourn reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases before Sanchez’s tiebreaker off Chapman (1-1).

Jeff Fulchino (2-0) pitched 1-3 inning for the victory. Brandon Lyon pitched a perfect ninth for his 16th save in 17 opportunities.

After Votto’s single in the sixth, Scott Rolen walked and Jonny Gomes homered far into the Crawford Boxes in left field. It was Gomes’ 17th homer of the season and gave gun 83 RBIs.

Rodriguez pitched six innings, allowed three hits, three runs with 10 strikeouts and six walks.

Cincinnati starter Johnny Cueto pitched six innings, allowed five hits and three runs with six strikeouts.

Cueto gave up two early runs but settled in and didn’t allow a hit after an RBI single by Bourn in the second inning until Lee’s homer tied it. Cueto had retired 11 in a row before Lee’s 22nd homer.

The Astros took a 2-0 lead on Chris Johnson’s sacrifice fly in the first inning and Bourn’s RBI single in the second.

The Reds were positioned to take the lead with two outs in the seventh after Votto singled, stole second and went to third on a passed ball. Rolen then hit a fly to right field that appeared sure to be a hit until Hunter Pence made a stretched-out diving catch to preserve the tie.

Rodriguez walked five batters in the second and third innings but didn’t allow a hit or run during the wild spree.

He walked two with two outs in the second and struck out Willie Bloomquist to end the inning. Rodriguez walked the bases loaded with one out in the third and struck out Rolen and got Gomes on a popup to keep the Reds scoreless.

NOTES: The Reds, who lost their sixth straight on the road, started a nine-game trip. They were 1-6 their last time on the road. … The Reds and Braves are second in the major leagues in comeback victories (42). The Yankees have 45. … Cincinnati is 7-3 against Houston this season. … Rodriguez struck out 10 batters for the second straight game.