HOUSTON (AP) — Wandy Rodriguez struck out 10 in seven innings and Geoff Blum drove in three runs as the Houston Astros beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-0 Saturday.

Rodriguez (1-1) matched his career high for strikeouts and allowed only two hits. In the seventh, he gave up his first two walks, but struck out Laynce Nix, filling in for the injured Jay Bruce, to end the threat.

Chris Sampson and Jeff Fulchino each pitched a hitless inning to complete the combined two-hitter and Houston’s first shutout of the season.

Reds starter Aaron Harang (1-2) went six innings and allowed five runs on 10 hits. He struck out six and walked one.

Back-to-back RBI singles by Hunter Pence and Blum gave the Astros a 2-0 lead in the first.

Carlos Lee doubled into the left corner to drive in Michael Bourn from second for a 3-0 lead in the fifth.

With the bases loaded in the seventh, Blum doubled to right field to score two runs. Ivan Rodriguez then doubled in two more runs for a 7-0 lead.

Notes: 2B Kaz Matsui sat out his fourth straight game with a sore back. IF Jeff Keppinger missed his second straight game with a lower back strain RHP Brandon Backe threw a two-inning simulated game before the game Saturday and pronounced himself fit. Nix was a late replacement for Jay Bruce, who sat out with a sore right hand. Bruce, who hurt the hand Monday at Milwaukee when he was hit by a pitch, is day-to-day. X rays and MRIs on Bruce’s hands were negative.