Hunter Pence hit a three-run homer, Roy Oswalt once again shut down Cincinnati and the Houston Astros beat the reeling Reds 7-4 on Thursday night.

Carlos Lee went 3-for-3 and drove in two runs and Miguel Tejada and Lance Berkman also had three hits each, helping Oswalt improve to 21-1 in his career against the Reds.

Oswalt (9-8), who has won each of his last six starts against Cincinnati, pitched six shutout innings before giving up a run in the seventh _ his last inning. He allowed nine hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

The Reds have lost three straight and six of seven.