Joey Votto homered and Bronson Arroyo was strong through 6 2/3 innings as the Cincinnati Reds completed a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros with a 4-2 victory on Thursday.

Jay Bruce added a home run and Drew Stubbs scored two runs for the Reds.

Votto grounded into a double play to break a scoreless draw in the fifth and extended the lead to 3-0 with a two-run blast in the seventh off Houston ace Roy Oswalt. Votto's blast was his fourth of the season.

Arroyo (1-2), who entered the contest having allowed 18 runs over his last 15 innings, held the Astros scoreless through six innings before allowing a homer to Hunter Pence in the seventh. Arroyo was charged with two runs on six hits while walking three and striking out seven to earn his first win of the season.

Two relievers bridged the gap to closer Francisco Cordero, who allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth to earn his eighth save.

Oswalt (2-3) was charged with three runs for the Astros, marking just the second time in 33 career games against Cincinnati that he has been saddled with the loss.