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(Sports Network) - The Houston Astros continue an eight-game road trip this afternoon, as they wrap a quick two-game series with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.

The Astros won the opener of this set and the road trip, 9-3, on Wednesday behind the strength of a seven-run fourth inning. All the runs came with two outs, with Kazuo Matsui plating two run with a single. Miguel Tejada, Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee also drove in runs during the big inning.

Hunter Pence went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs batted in and two scored in the win, while Lee smacked a pair of doubles for Houston, which extended its season-long winning streak to four. Every starting Astros position player had at least one hit in the win.

Chris Sampson (1-2) surrendered two runs on eight hits in seven solid innings for Houston, with six strikeouts to just one walk.

The Reds were playing their first game since firing general manager Wayne Krivsky earlier on Wednesday and replacing him with Walt Jocketty. Jocketty previously spent 13 seasons as the GM of the St. Louis Cardinals -- where he helped guide the club to a World Series title -- and becomes the Reds' fourth general manager in the last six years.

Ken Griffey Jr. slammed his 597th career home run, while Brandon Phillips finished with two doubles for the Reds, who fell to 2-4 on a seven-game homestand that ends today. Griffey is now just three homers shy of becoming the sixth player in major league history to reach 600 long balls.

Catcher David Ross, who was activated from the disabled list by the Reds on Wednesday, had two hits. To make room for Ross, outfielder Norris Hopper was placed on the DL due to right elbow inflammation.

Reds third baseman Edwin Encarnacion extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a late solo homer.

Bronson Arroyo (0-3) was touched for eight runs on 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings, though he walked just one and struck out five. The Cincinnati hurler remained winless this season as his earned run averaged ballooned to 7.56.

Rookie Johnny Cueto will try to halt a personal three-start winless stretch today for the Reds. Cueto, who will be facing an NL Central opponent for the fourth straight time, hasn't posted a win since beating Arizona on April 3, recording one loss and two no decisions over that stretch.

He last toed the rubber Saturday against Milwaukee and got a no decision after giving up three runs (2 earned) on five hits over seven frames. He also struck out five batters, a season low.

The right-hander has allowed a home run in each of his four starts -- and five total -- though he has walked just three batters over 26 1/3 frames while striking out 29. He will be facing Houston for the first time.

With left-hander Wandy Rodriguez landing on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained left groin, the Astros are expected to recall Jack Cassel from Triple-A Round Rock to make the start today. The right-handed Cassel will make his Astros debut this afternoon after signing with Houston in the offseason.

Cassel went 1-1 with a 3.97 earned run average in six games (4 starts) with the Padres last year and spent most of the season in Triple-A Portland. In three starts with Round Rock this year, the 27-year-old went 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA.

The righty faced the Reds once last year, yielding two runs and two hits in three innings of relief on August 10 in his major league debut.

The Astros have won their last five games against the Reds and went 11-4 versus Cincinnati in 2007. Houston won eight of nine in Cincinnati as well a year ago.