CINCINNATI (AP) -- Jose Vizcaino and the rest of Houston's
batters didn't let Roy Oswalt down.

Vizcaino hit the go-ahead RBI single in the Astros' five-run
ninth inning and went 5-for-5 as Houston beat the Cincinnati Reds
6-1 on Saturday night.

Oswalt (15-6) allowed six hits, struck out two and walked two in
eight innings as he won his fifth straight start. He is 6-0
lifetime against the Reds, beating them for the third time this
year.

"That was the most well-thrown game we've had against us this
year,'' Reds third baseman Aaron Boone said. "He was electric
tonight. After the eighth inning, I kind of tipped my hat toward
him from the dugout. I've never done that before in my career.''

After Vizcaino hit a leadoff homer against newcomer Shawn Estes,
Cincinnati got a run back in the second when Barry Larkin grounded
into a double play. It stayed 1-all through eight innings.

"I told myself if I could get through the eighth with no more
runs, eventually my offense would score,'' Oswalt said.

In the ninth, after pinch-hit singles by Daryle Ward and Geoff
Blum, Vizcaino singled off reliever Joey Hamilton (3-8).

He tied a career high for hits, set on Sept. 23, 1995, while
playing for the New York Mets.

Craig Biggio had an RBI single that finished Hamilton. Lance
Berkman then added a two-run double off Danny Graves, which was
followed by Jeff Bagwell's RBI single.

Estes made his first start for Cincinnati since he was acquired
Thursday from the Mets. After a shaky beginning, he didn't allow a
run after the first inning, with the help of good defense and four
double plays.

Vizcaino, Estes' first batter, worked the count to 3-2 and then
hit his second homer of the season.

One out later, Berkman tripled to the right-field fence. Estes
walked the bases loaded but got out of the inning without any more
runs scoring.

Estes was on the defensive most of the night. In the second, he
lost a shoe getting out of the way of Vizcaino's grounder, putting
runners on first and second.

In the fourth, Estes had to scramble again when Jason Lane broke
his bat on a comebacker. Estes had to dodge the ball and the barrel
of the bat at the same time.

Estes pitched 7 2-3 innings, allowed nine hits, walked three and
struck out three.

Game notes
The Reds turned four double plays for the third time this
season. ... Reds RHP Elmer Dessens, on the DL since Aug. 6 with a
strained right groin, threw off the mound and did a fielding drill.
Manager Bob Boone said Dessens probably would start against the
Diamondbacks on Thursday in Arizona. ... Ken Griffey Jr. was out of
the starting lineup for the second time since aggravating a sore
left thigh Thursday night. He pinch-hit in the eighth, drawing a
walk.