HOUSTON, July 24 (UPI) -- Todd Frazier and Ryan Ludwick each went 3-for-6 with a pair of RBI Monday, sparking a 17-hit attack that lifted the Cincinnati Reds to an 8-3 win over Houston.
Frazier's RBI single in the first inning put the Reds ahead to stay and Ludwick's run-scoring two-bagger in the third doubled the advantage. The pair each knocked in another run during a three-run eighth to help seal the victory.
Brandon Phillips added three hits while Chris Heisey supplied two hits and an RBI for National League Central-leading Cincinnati in the opener of a three-game series.
Mat Latos (8-3) held the Astros to two runs on eight hits in a five-inning start to earn the victory.
Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez (7-9) was saddled with the loss, surrendering three runs on seven hits over six frames.
Chris Johnson went 4-for-5 with an RBI for Houston, which lost for the seventh straight time.