Astros 10, Reds 2

The Reds' winning streak ended at three games. Bronson Arroyo isn't buying the theory that those two high-pitch outings on the West Coast have anything to do with his recent struggles.

Arroyo went five innings Thursday night, allowing eight runs on 11 hits. He's 0-2 with a 16.36 ERA in his three starting since throwing 129 pitches in the San Diego. He threw 117 in the start before that in L.A.

“It’s completely (coincidence),” he said. “Tonight, I felt as good as I've felt this season by far. I had good velocity, a good breaking ball, good command. When you go through a stretch like this, sometimes you don’t get the luck or whatever you want to call it.”

Arroyo is big on the long-season theory -- even when he's going good.

“I've had 12 starts and I've had three bad ones,” he said.

But he admits it’s hard not to shake things up.

“That’s the hardest thing about being in a bad stretch in baseball,” he said. “Not to change things, (knowing) that the results aren't always an indication of how you’re feeling or how you throw the ball.”

“The other guys get paid for a reason, too. Sometimes you get beat around the yard.”