Milwaukee @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( May 11, 2013 ) Milwaukee 7, Cincinnati 13

The Milwaukee Brewers are in dire need of a victory, but they are equally as desperate for a solid starting pitching performance entering Sunday's finale of a three-game series at the Cincinnati Reds. Milwaukee has dropped the first two games and watched its starters last only four and three innings, respectively, putting an added strain on a beleaguered relief corps. Right-hander Wily Peralta will make his 13th career start as the Brewers seek to avoid a series sweep.

Cincinnati bunched most of its scoring in two innings in Saturday's 13-7 rout. Jay Bruce sparked a 14-hit attack and six players had two RBIs apiece as the Reds improved to 6-2 in their last eight games and registered their major league-best 15th home win. Bruce homered and had a pair of doubles Saturday, continuing a trend of finding his power stroke against Milwaukee. He has 22 homers and 51 RBIs in 64 games against the Brewers.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee), Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Wily Peralta (3-2, 5.54 ERA) vs. Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (2-4, 4.30)

Peralta is 3-1 in his last four starts and has pitched fairly well, with the exception of an ugly outing vs. St. Louis on May 2 in which he gave up six runs on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings. He went at least six innings in each of the three victories and permitted a combined seven earned runs. He had a solid performance against Texas last time out, giving up three runs (two earned) and five hits in six innings. Peralta tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings last season in his only start against the Reds.

Arroyo has lost three consecutive starts - and a lack of run support from his teammates is partly to blame. Cincinnati has scored a total of 19 runs in his seven starts, including a single run on three occasions. Arroyo struggled last time out against Atlanta, giving up four runs on eight hits in a season-low five innings. He is 13-10 with a 3.90 ERA in 29 lifetime appearances (26 starts) against the Brewers and has surrendered 30 homers - four to Ryan Braun - in 168 1/3 innings against them.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Brewers have outscored opponents 32-8 in the first inning - the widest differential in the majors.

2. Cincinnati improved to 6-1 in series at home, with the only loss coming to Atlanta earlier this week.

3. The Brewers placed LHP Tom Gorzelanny (tendinitis) on the 15-day disabled list and recalled RHP Mike Fiers, who is expected to join the team Sunday.

PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Reds 5