April 10, 1976 at Riverfront Stadium 

Reds 13, Astros 7  (2-0)

The Reds made it two in a row to start the season as they once again hit the snot out of the ball.  The Reds scored five in the first and three in the second to effectively put the game away pretty early.

Joe Morgan scored three more runs to bring his season total up to six.  Morgan also hit a two run shot and Johnny Bench also went yard.  He went two for four with three RBIs and two runs.  Ken Griffey singled twice, drove in a run and scored three times.  Five different Reds stole a base and Griffey and Morgan brought their season totals to three.

Jack Billingham gave up four runs on nine hits in six innings.  Newcomer Santo Alcala made his debut and was hit hard in the seventh inning.  Alcala gave up three runs on four hits without getting a batter out, which allowed the Astros to cut the lead down to a single run.  Rawly Eastwick stopped the dammage though and threw three perfect innings to notch his first save of the season.

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