Philadelphia @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Apr 15, 2013 ) Philadelphia 2, Cincinnati 4
All it took for the Cincinnati Reds to snap their long losing streak was a return home. A day after easing the pain caused by a five-game road losing streak, the Reds will attempt to post their third consecutive home victory Tuesday when they continue their three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Brandon Phillips – 8-for-18 with runners in scoring position this season – delivered a two-run single in the eighth inning Monday to break open a tie game and send Cincinnati to a 4-2 win.
While the Phillies have received solid pitching recently, they find themselves in a bit of an offensive slump despite winning two of three on the road over the Miami Marlins over the weekend. Philadelphia, which failed in its third straight attempt to move above .500, has totaled eight runs over its last four games after combining for 15 in the two previous contests. The latest effort wasted another strong performance from starter Cliff Lee, who did not allow a baserunner past first base until the seventh inning, and a pinch-hit, two-run homer from Chase Utley.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, TCN (Philadelphia), Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Kyle Kendrick (1-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (1-1, 5.73)
Kendrick surrendered two runs on solo homers and eight hits over six innings in Wednesday’s 7-3 victory over the Mets, continuing his pattern of alternating wins and losses over his last nine starts. He has allowed a hit to 12 of the 27 left-handed batters he has faced this season (only four of the 26 right-handed batters have done the same). Kendrick is 1-2 with a 5.71 ERA in three career appearances at Great American Ball Park and has lost each of his last two starts at the venue.
Bailey was unable to build on six scoreless innings in his season debut against Washington, allowing seven runs and nine hits – including three home runs – over five frames in a 10-0 loss at St. Louis on Wednesday. The 26-year-old right-hander enjoyed much more success on the road last season (9-2, 2.32 ERA) than at home (4-8, 5.16). However, he has struggled mightily in six career starts against the Phillies, going 0-3 with a 5.29 ERA, with five of those outings coming at Great American Ball Park.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati went 3-for-6 with runners in scoring position Monday after going 5-for-41 during its losing streak.
2. Utley’s pinch-hit homer was the fifth of his career and first since June 1, 2005.
3. Reds CF Shin-Soo Choo and 1B Joey Votto have reached base in all 13 games this season.
PREDICTION: Reds 7, Phillies 6