Cincinnati @ Oakland preview

Cincinnati at Oakland

Last Meeting ( Mar 21, 2013 ) Oakland 10, Cincinnati 9

The Cincinnati Reds enjoyed a rare day off Monday, but they won't receive any sympathy for their plight from the similarly fatigued Oakland Athletics. Cincinnati, which played 17 consecutive days before the day off, begins a two-game interleague set at O.co Coliseum on Tuesday against Oakland. Jay Bruce has been red hot over the last eight games, homering seven times before highlighting the Reds' 4-2 victory over Arizona on Sunday with a pair of doubles.

With four losses in their last five contests, the Athletics are showing signs of fatigue after logging 30 games over their last 31 days. Oakland's bullpen hasn't been distinguishing itself, with relievers picking up four of the team's losses in the last seven games. Seattle handed the Athletics their second straight setback Sunday after Kendrys Morales belted a three-run homer in the 10th inning of a 6-3 decision.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSOH (Cincinnati), CSCA (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (6-5, 3.13 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Tommy Milone (6-7, 3.98)

Arroyo has been saddled with three consecutive no-decisions, despite having permitted just five earned runs over 20 2/3 innings. The 36-year-old had won four of his previous five decisions to work his way back from a slow start to the season. Arroyo owns a 3-1 career mark versus Oakland.

Milone suffered his second consecutive loss after yielding a season-high six runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings against Texas on Wednesday. The 26-year-old has pitched well at home this season, but only has a 3-3 mark to show for it. Milone, who has never faced the Reds, has limited the opposition to a .230 batting average while recording a 2.48 ERA and 1.08 WHIP at O.co Coliseum.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati OF Chris Heisey (right hamstring) is expected to return Tuesday after playing in a rehab game with Triple-A Louisville on Saturday. He has been on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 28.

2. Athletics 1B Brandon Moss had a solo homer among two hits Sunday. Moss has collected multiple hits in five of his last nine contests.

3. Oakland recorded a three-game sweep of Cincinnati in 2010 in the last meeting between the teams.

PREDICTION: Reds 4, Athletics 2