Milwaukee @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( May 17, 2010 ) Milwaukee 3, Cincinnati 6
After beginning the season in the bullpen, Manny Parra finally is getting the chance to start again. The left-hander certainly has his work cut out for him.
Parra will make his first start of the campaign on Tuesday as the Milwaukee Brewers attempt to halt their losing streak and cool down the scorching Cincinnati Reds in the finale of their two-game series.
The 27-year old Parra made 56 starts over the previous two seasons but wound up in the bullpen to start 2010. The native of Sacramento, who went 11-11 last campaign, pitched well early in his new role, making eight straight appearances in which he did not allow a run.
However, Parra has struggled of late, keeping opponents scoreless just once in his last seven outings.
Parra's first start of the season, made possible when Milwaukee placed Doug Davis on the disabled list Sunday due to inflammation of the membrane surrounding his heart, comes against one of the hottest clubs in the league.
Cincinnati improved to 8-1 in its last nine games and 15-5 since April 25 with its 6-3 triumph over Milwaukee on Monday. Thanks to their surge, the Reds find themselves atop the NL Central - a spot they have not held this late in a season since June 8, 2006.
Johnny Cueto turned in yet another strong start for Cincinnati on Monday, allowing just one run in seven innings. The Reds' pitching staff has posted a 2.00 ERA over its last nine contests.
Homer Bailey attempts to continue the trend against the Brewers. The 24-year old right-hander, who is 0-2 in three lifetime outings vs. Milwaukee, tossed a four-hit shutout over Pittsburgh on Wednesday - his first career complete game.
Bailey will need to find a way to keep Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart in check.
Weeks has had plenty of success against Bailey, collecting four hits in six at-bats with two RBIs, but is batting just .103 (3-for-29) during Milwaukee's seven-game losing streak. Hart is 2-for-5 lifetime vs. Bailey but has been on a tear of late, collecting four home runs and seven RBIs over his last three games.
In addition to their starting pitching, the Reds have received strong performances in the field. Cincinnati went 11 consecutive games without an error before second baseman Brandon Phillips misplayed a grounder by Jody Gerut in the fourth inning Monday.
Cincinnati's Orlando Cabrera went 2-for-5 with an RBI on Monday, extending his hitting streak to 10 games.