The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Houston Astros 5-3 on September 2, ending Houston's five-game winning streak and marking Cincinnati's seventh consecutive win in interleague matchups against them. Ty France led the Reds with a standout performance, going 4-for-4, while Yainer Diaz drove in all three of Houston's runs. The game saw Justin Verlander struggle, allowing five runs in less than five innings, which continued a challenging season for him after multiple injuries. The Astros currently hold a 75-63 record, leading the AL West, while the Reds stand at 66-73 in the NL Central. The two teams will face each other again on Wednesday, following a scheduled off-day. This matchup marks their second meeting of the season, with Cincinnati having previously swept the season series in 2023.