Astros Tie It Up Against Reds

TThe Houston Astros' marathon with the Cincinnati Reds has become a sprint.

Mike Hampton became the National League's first 21-game winner and Daryle Ward hit a two-run homer Wednesday night as the Astros beat Cincinnati 4-1 and once again tied the Reds for first place.

"We've had no bigger win all year," said Hampton, who struck out eight and walked one. "We've got to get on a roll."

Houston closes with three games at home against Los Angeles and Cincinnati, which had its six-game winning streak stopped, ends with three games at Milwaukee.

"We're still in control of our destiny," said Reds shortstop Barry Larkin, whose throwing error led to three unearned runs. "We have to win. It's real simple."

Hampton (21-4) stranded at least one runner in scoring position in the first three innings without allowing a run. Cincinnati's Steve Parris (11-3) retired nine of the first 11 batters he faced.

Hampton, who tied the Astros' record for wins set by Joe Niekro in 1979, allowed one run and seven hits in eight innings with eight strikeouts.

"Taking nothing from Randy Johnson, but if I'm voting for Cy Young I've got to give it to Hampy," teammate Craig Biggio said. "He goes out there and gives us this kind of effort every time."

Pokey Reese, who drove in the Reds' only run, was more succinct.

"He was nasty. He was awesome," Reese said. "That's why he's won 21 games."

Houston, which had lost eight of 11 and scored six runs in its previous three games, broke through in the fourth inning after Larkin's error allowed Jeff Bagwell to reach.

Carl Everett doubled and Ken Caminiti drove in the game's first run with an RBI grounder. Ward followed with a liner off the left-field facade for a 3-0 lead.

Reese hit an RBI single in the sixth, but Houston got the run back in the bottom half on Caminiti's sacrifice fly.

After Hampton was down holding down the Reds, Billy Wagner finished for his 38th save in 41 chances, the 100th of his career. Wagner said a throaty greeting from the crowd of 52,242 the fourth largest in club history energized him.

"I was really pumped," Wagner said. "This has been draining, but this is what it's all about: 50,000 people, playing for the playoffs."

Parris gave up all four runs but just one earned and six hits in five-plus innings.

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