Washington @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 6, 2010 ) Cincinnati 5, Washington 4
Johnny Cueto has been extremely stingy over his last five starts. That does not bode well for the Washington Nationals.
The Nationals attempt to end their scoring drought on Monday when they begin a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
After rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg led the team to a 4-0 victory over Florida on Friday, Washington failed to score in its next two games, dropping 2-0 and 1-0 decisions to the Marlins. The Nationals collected a total of 19 hits in the two shutout losses, all singles.
On Sunday, Craig Stammen allowed just one run and six hits over six innings but received no support from his offense. Washington's starting pitchers yielded two earned runs in 18 frames during the three-game series with Florida.
However, the Nationals - who are 1-2 on their 10-game road trip - have failed to score a run over their last 21 innings.
Washington, which has lost four of five overall and 24 of its last 30 road games, will try to muster some offense against Cueto, who has won eight of his last nine decisions.
Cueto is 2-0 over his last four starts and has not allowed more than one earned run in any of his last five outings. On July 8, the 24-year-old gave up four hits and two runs - one earned - in seven innings but did not figure in the decision in a 4-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.
In eight home starts this year, Cueto is 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA. The right-hander has been less successful against Washington during his career, going 2-2 with a 5.56 ERA.
Cueto has had a major league-leading five potential victories blown by his bullpen. In addition, he received no offensive support in his two losses this season as the Reds were shut out in each setback.
Taking the mound for the Nationals will be J.D. Martin, who is coming off his first win of 2010. On July 7, the 27-year old worked 5 2/3 innings, surrendering two runs and six hits in a 7-6 triumph over the San Diego Padres.
Martin is 0-3 with a 3.77 ERA in five road starts this year. He was victorious in his only career outing against Cincinnati, allowing an unearned run and six hits in six innings on August 15.
The Reds also are coming off an unsuccessful offensive outing as they dropped a 1-0 decision to Colorado on Sunday. Travis Wood made his second straight effective start but yielded a solo homer by Chris Iannetta for the game's lone run.
With the loss, Cincinnati fell out of first place in the NL Central for the first time in 19 days. The Reds have lost five of their last seven games, with each of the last three setbacks being 1-0 heartbreakers.
Cincinnati, which has dropped three straight home meetings with Washington, is hoping to have Scott Rolen back in the lineup. The All-Star third baseman missed the last two games due to illness.