Milwaukee @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 23, 2013 ) Milwaukee 6, Cincinnati 4

Ryan Braun’s suspension is turning into quite the opportunity for rookie outfielder Khris Davis, who carries a nine-game hitting streak into Saturday’s contest against the host Cincinnati Reds. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Davis belted two homers in Friday’s 6-4 series-opening win, and he’s 14-for-30 with five blasts and nine RBIs during his streak. Cincinnati sits three games behind first-place Pittsburgh in the NL Central and holds a seven-game lead over Arizona for the second wild-card spot.

The Reds, who stand a season-high 18 games over .500, may need to promote a pitcher from the minors on Sunday with scheduled starter Tony Cingrani dealing with back problems. Cingrani left his last start early with lower back pain, and his bullpen session on Friday was cut short after 12 pitches. While Cingrani’s status is in doubt, Milwaukee outfielders Carlos Gomez and Norichika Aoki both returned Friday after missing time with injuries.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Wily Peralta (8-13, 4.60 ERA) vs. Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (12-9, 3.40)

Peralta owns a 2.88 ERA over his last 11 starts, but he surrendered seven runs over 4 1/3 innings against the Reds on Sunday. “Almost every single young pitcher that comes through the big leagues goes through this stuff,” manager Ron Roenicke said. The 24-year-old, who has gone 1-4 with a 5.93 ERA over his last five starts, owns a 1-3 record and a 4.20 ERA in five career starts against Cincinnati.

Arroyo is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA over his last three starts while becoming the first Reds pitcher since 1900 to produce at least six strikeouts without a walk in three consecutive outings. Aoki is 5-for-22 with a home run against Arroyo, who hasn’t issued a walk in his last 22 2/3 innings. The 36-year-old is 6-2 with a 2.96 ERA - including 10 quality starts – over his last 11 outings at Great American Ball Park.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee closer Jim Henderson has made 14 consecutive scoreless appearances and lowered his ERA to 1.71.

2. The Reds recalled RHP Nick Christiani from Triple-A Louisville to replace RHP Jonathan Broxton, who had season-ending surgery on his right forearm on Friday.

3. Brewers 2B Scooter Gennett is batting .440 (11-for-25) during his seven-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Reds 7, Brewers 3