MLB: Houston 7, Cincinnati 4

CINCINNATI, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Hunter Pence capped a four-run third inning with a three-run homer Thursday and the Houston Astros recorded a 7-4 win at Cincinnati.

Pence's 15th homer this season with one out in the top of the third gave Houston what turned out to be an insurmountable 5-0 lead.

Carlos Lee had three hits and two RBI. Ty Wigginton hit two sacrifice flies, while both Miguel Tejada and Lance Berkman had two hits each for the Astros, who ended a two-game skid.

Winner Roy Oswalt (9-8) gave up an earned run and nine hits in six innings with two walks and six strikeouts.

Closer Jose Valverde earned his 28th save.

Joey Votto had a seventh-inning RBI single, Edwin Encarnacion had two hits, including a two-run homer in the eighth, and a run scored on Valverde's ninth-inning wild pitch. Votto had three hits in the Reds' third straight loss.

Losing pitcher Josh Fogg (2-4) gave up six earned runs and eight hits in four innings.