HOUSTON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Johnny Cueto returned from a long layoff with five scoreless innings and Zack Cozart backed him with four RBI Monday in Cincinnati's 6-1 win over Houston.
Cueto (5-2) pitched well in his first appearance since June 28, when he went on the shelf with a back injury. The right-hander scattered five hits, issued one walk and struck out five.
Cozart opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the second inning and added a two-run single in the fourth for third-place Cincinnati, which came into the contest trailing National League Central co-leaders Pittsburgh and St. Louis by 3 1/2 games.
The Reds increased their NL wild-card lead over idle Washington to five games with the win.
Astros starter Erik Bedard (4-11) yielded four runs on four hits over four full innings.
Matt Dominguez got the only RBI for Houston, which fell in the first of a three-game interleague series.
