After allowing just one earned run in a no-decision on Aug. 29, former North Stanly standout Rhett Lowder posted another solid performance Thursday night at home against the Houston Astros.

Lowder went 6.1 innings for Cincinnati and allowed no runs on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts. After allowing an earned run in his first start this season, the former Comet’s earned-run average is now 0.87.

Cincinnati’s bullpen stepped up and shut down the Astros the rest of the way, with Ty France’s solo home run in the seventh lifting the Reds to a 1-0 win and a sweep of the series with the Astros.

In an interview with MLB.com, Reds manager David Bell said, “There’s no question he’s showing he is prepared to be here, pitching big games for us and doing it in a way that shows he knows how to pitch.”