HOUSTON — Houston's bullpen provided manager Larry Dierker with some much-needed relief.

        The Astros got 3 1-3 innings of scoreless relief of rookie Tim Redding, and Julio Lugo had three hits and scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as Houston beat the Reds 7-5 Sunday.

        Nelson Cruz, Octavio Dotel and Billy Wagner combined to allow the Reds only two hits and strike out four as the Astros split the four-game series.

        “The Reds had to feel up against it today,” Dierker said. “Redding was throwing 93-to-95, then they got a little break with Cruz and then Dotel came in throwing 95-to-98 and Wagner finished up throwing 98 nearly every time.

        “It's nice to see. I like to be able to go with that much firepower in the bullpen.”

        Wagner, who had surgery on his left elbow last season, pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 15th save in 16 tries. It was the second save in his last three outings since coming off the disabled list with a strained elbow last Tuesday.

        “I feel good,” he said. “I'm just happy to be here. When you come back after having arm trouble, you have to push it a little and see how much you can take.

        “Being a closer, they can't baby me. They've got to see what I can do and I'm glad I was able to come through.”

        Dotel (4-4) pitched two scoreless innings for the win.

        Redding, making his major league debut for Houston, gave up five runs, six hits and two walks in 5 2-3 innings. Redding struck out seven.

        Astros Notes: Dierker took over sole possession of second place on Houston's career win list with 393. He moved ahead of Art Howe. ... 2B Craig Biggio, who had knee surgery last August, did not start for the fourth time this season. Before last year's injury-shortened season, Biggio had taken off only four games in the previous four seasons combined. Biggio did pinch hit in the eighth, tying Jose Cruz for the club record by appearing in 1,870 career games.

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