Reds-Astros Preview

The Cincinnati Reds are almost certainly en route to a ninth straight losing season, but their impressive late-season run is providing reason for optimism.

It has also vaulted them past the plummeting Houston Astros in the standings, and the Reds will go for a sixth straight win overall -- and ninth in a row over the Astros -- as they continue their series Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.

Cincinnati needs to win its final eight games to finish at .500, but the club's 22-10 mark since Aug. 23 is the best record in the NL over that span.

The Reds (73-81) have used a powerful offense, scoring 44 runs during their latest winning streak. Joey Votto is 11 for 21 with seven doubles, two home runs and 10 RBIs in those games, and he had a homer and four RBIs in Friday's 10-4 win.

"We swung the bats ... If you get a pitcher a lead, it helps a lot," Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

Along with Votto's surge, Baker has seen progress from some young players. Rookie Drew Stubbs is 13 for 39 with three homers in his last nine games, while Juan Francisco -- playing in place of Scott Rolen (back) -- had three hits Friday in just his second major league start.

Justin Lehr (4-2, 5.30 ERA) has been a happy recipient of some of the run support, going 2-1 despite a 7.33 ERA in his last four starts. He hasn't pitched since Sept. 16, when he allowed five home runs among 11 hits in five innings against Houston but did not get a decision in Cincinnati's 6-5 win.

Jeff Keppinger went deep twice against Lehr, who matched the season high for home runs allowed by one pitcher in a single game.

"Those balls were up and out over the plate," Baker said. "I don't think I've seen a team give up five solo homers and end up winning the game."

While the Reds have scored 25 runs in Lehr's 23 1/3 innings over his last four starts, Felipe Paulino hasn't gotten a single run of support from the Astros in his 23 innings this month. He's 0-4 in that stretch despite a respectable 3.52 ERA.

"I just try to keep my head up and do something good," Paulino told the Astros' official Web site. "Someday it is going to change for me."

Paulino (2-10, 6.06) hasn't faced the Reds since May 27, but he's received similar efforts from his offense in three starts versus Cincinnati this year. He's gotten a total of two runs of support in those outings, going 0-2 with a 2.55 ERA.

The Astros (71-82) are 3-11 against the Reds this year and 1/3 overall since manager Cecil Cooper was fired and replaced with Dave Clark on Monday.