Astros beat the Reds 10-0, extending Cincinnati’s losing streak to 8

CINCINNATI (AP) — Zach Dezenzo and Yordan Alvarez hit two-run homers, Mike Burrows allowed three hits in seven innings, and the Houston Astros beat Cincinnati 10-0 on Friday night, extending the Reds losing streak to eight games.

Zach Cole and Christian Vázquez also went deep for the Astros, who have won four of six.

Burrows (2-4) struck out six and walked one in his best start of the season. He and two relievers limited the Reds to five hits. It was the Astros' third shutout this season while the Reds were blanked for the fourth time.

Cincinnati's Nick Lodolo gave up four runs on five hits and a walk in 5 1/3 innings in his season debut. Lodolo suffered a blister at the end of spring training, and that issue kept him out until Friday night. Struggling to spin his breaking ball the way that he has in the past, Lodolo only struck out two batters.

Brice Matthews hit his first career triple in the second inning and Dezenzo drove him in with his first home run of this season.

Alvarez made it 4-0 with his homer in the sixth that came off the bat at 115.9 mph. Alvarez and the Athletics' Nick Kurtz only players with two home runs of 115 mph and higher this season.

Reds reliever Tony Santillan allowed four runs in the ninth inning — including homers to Cole and Vázquez on consecutive pitches.

The Reds have been outscored 60-23 during their slide.

Houston will go with RHP Spencer Arrighetti (4-0, 1.96 ERA) while Cincinnati sends RHP Chase Burns (3-1, 2.20 ERA) to the mound in the middle game of the series.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo delivers in the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, May 8, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)

Houston Astros pitcher Mike Burrows delivers in the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 8, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve (27) reacts after striking out in the third inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 8, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)

Houston Astros pitcher Mike Burrows reacts after preventing a run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, May 8, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Swensen)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Victor Wembanyama delivered another masterpiece with 39 points, 15 rebounds and more game-wrecking defense for the San Antonio Spurs, who took a 2-1 lead in the second-round NBA playoff series with a 115-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

Wembanyama went 13 of 18 from the floor and 10 of 12 from the line, adding five blocks and a full night of paint deterrence as the Spurs won their second straight game after dropping the opener at home.

De'Aaron Fox scored 17 points, and Stephon Castle had 13 points and 12 assists with a team-high plus-17 rating.

Anthony Edwards had 32 points and 14 rebounds and Naz Reid added 18 points and nine rebounds for the Wolves, whose defense kept them alive after a woeful start but allowed the Spurs to shoot 6 for 10 from 3-point range in the pivotal third quarter.

Minnesota will host Game 4 on Sunday night. The series shifts back to San Antonio for Game 5 on Tuesday.

Jaden McDaniels drew Wembanyama's fifth foul with 6:18 left and brought the Wolves within 99-98 on pair of free throws, but the Spurs never trailed in the second half despite never leading by double digits.

Wembanyama didn't flinch despite the foul risk, finishing with 16 points in the fourth quarter. His 3-pointer that answered Reid's pushed San Antonio's lead to six with 3:06 to go. Reid tried another one near the end of the shot clock on the next possession that hit the rim and Wembanyama rebounded.

Edwards, who showed Minnesota yet again his swift healing ability by returning from a deep bone bruise in his hyperextended left knee after just one week to make the start of the series, had 22 points in the first half to help them snap back from an early 18-3 deficit.

The Wolves missed their first 12 shots and didn't get a basket to go down until Rudy Gobert's putback with 6:52 had elapsed, but unlike in the 133-95 drubbing they took in Game 2 on Wednesday they had the defensive intelligence and tenacity at the ready to make up for the long shooting lulls.

Edwards hit a buzzer-beating 31-footer at the end of the first quarter, and McDaniels swished a 3-pointer from the wing to end the first half with a 51-all tie.

McDaniels and Julius Randle were the most affected by Wembanyama's presence, unable to get their short-range and rim-attacking game going. They shot a combined 8 for 34 from the floor.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) waits for play to resume during the first half of Game 3 of a NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis, Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) and guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first half of Game 3 of a NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Minneapolis, Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) scores over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of Game 3 of a NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Minneapolis, Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) drives against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of Game 3 of a NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Minneapolis, Friday, May 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)