Hunter Brown pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning, and the Houston Astros beat the slumping Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on Friday night. Brown (6-1) struck out nine, matching his season high for the fourth straight start.

Each start Hunter Brown makes strengthens his status in the Houston Astros rotation. The group may be fronted by Framber Valdez, but Brown is its burgeoning ace. Modest support feels monumental when he takes the mound.

For one reason or another, the Reds have given the Astros fits for the past 13 years. Since the 2012 season, the Astros have played Cincinnati 29 times, achieving only six victories. Thankfully, that streak has ended,