Ortiz, vying for the fifth spot in Houston's rotation, allowed one hit, struck out two and walked none after struggling in his previous start last Saturday.

"From last start to this start, the whole time in between I was trying to make adjustments," said Ortiz, who helped himself with an RBI single in the second inning. "Most of it was mental. The physical part was there."

Lance Berkman hit a two-run homer and Humberto Quintero also had an RBI single for Houston.

Johnny Cueto worked five innings in his second spring start for Cincinnati. Cueto, who played for Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, yielded two runs and six hits.

Most of the damage came in the second inning, when the Astros strung together four consecutive singles and scored two runs. Two of the hits were bloopers to the outfield, and another was an infield single.

"They only hit one ball hard in that inning," Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker said. "They blooped a few in there. I thought Johnny threw the ball great."

Ortiz is competing with Jose Capellan for the fifth spot in Houston's rotation. Capellan has thrown 9 2-3 scoreless innings this spring and is considered the front-runner.

Ortiz, who was an All-Star in 2003 when he led the National League with 21 wins, is trying to make a comeback after sitting out last season following surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right arm.

"It's when I try to be too perfect, that's when I get into trouble," he said. "I just have to trust everything. I feel great, the pitches are there. It just comes down to mentally going out there and trusting my pitches."

Because they played Thursday night, the Reds didn't have any projected opening-day starters in the lineup.

Notes: Ivan Rodriguez's $1.5 million, one-year contract with Houston was finalized after the catcher passed his physical. Rodriguez is expected to be in uniform on Sunday against the Nationals. ... Astros OF Hunter Pence, who injured his calf on Tuesday, may play on Saturday against Toronto ... The Reds optioned RHP Carlos Fisher and C Craig Tatum to Triple-A Louisville. ... Kaz Matsui's single in the fifth inning for Houston was his first hit since March 13, and second hit this month. Matsui is batting .068 this spring.