Cincinnati @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Apr 27, 2010 ) Cincinnati 6, Houston 2
The Cincinnati Reds managed to briefly slow the surge of the Houston Astros in the series opener. Whether they can be the first team to saddle the Astros with back-to-back losses in two weeks remains to be seen.
The Reds received a strong start from Aaron Harang in Tuesday's opener as the veteran right-hander turned in six strong innings to lead them to a 6-2 win. Ryan Hanigan added three RBIs and Jay Bruce scored a pair of runs for Cincinnati, which managed to snap Houston's three-game winning streak.
Houston began the season 0-8 and looked every bit as bad as that record would indicate, managing just 14 runs during that span. But since picking up their first win on April 15, the Astros have posted an 8-3 mark.
Lance Berkman, who began the season on the disabled list after knee surgery, has stabilized the lineup upon his return, sloting in the cleanup spot between Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence. Lee has been especially energized, adding two hits on Tuesday for his third multi-hit game in the last five.
Rookie Mike Leake will get the start for the Reds on Wednesday. The 22-year-old has been solid in three major league starts despite not spending a day in the minor leagues since he was drafted last June.
The right-hander from Arizona State had some control problems early, issuing 12 walks in his first 13 2/3 innings, but settled down to allow only one free pass in seven innings against the Dodgers last Thursday. Being around the plate more meant more hits, however, as Leake surrendered a career-high five runs on eight hits in seven innings. His offense picked him up, though, pushing across eight runs to give Leake his first major league win.
Leake may just be getting his feet wet in the majors but he is already a standout on Cincinnati's struggling staff, leading the unit with a 3.92 ERA. Johnny Cueto is next at 5.73 while Homer Baily, Bronson Arroyo and Harang all hover above 7.00 in the early going. Leake and Harang are the only members of the rotation to earn a win so far.
Relievers Micah Owings and Nick Masset lead the team with two wins apiece.
Houston will counter with right-hander Felipe Paulino, who is still looking for his first win of the 2010 campaign. The burly Dominican is struggling along with a 5.92 ERA through three starts and has yet to last into the seventh inning.
Paulino got knocked around by the Florida Marlins last Thursday, coughing up five runs - two earned - on six hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings while striking out four. He has not fared well against the Reds in his career, going 1-3 with a 5.86 ERA in five starts.