Arizona @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 23, 2013 ) Cincinnati 4, Arizona 2

If the Arizona Diamondbacks hope to make some noise in the National League wild-card race, a good showing against the Cincinnati Reds this week is necessary. The Diamondbacks trail the Reds by five games for the second NL wild card and visit Cincinnati for the beginning of a four-game series on Monday. Arizona has won five of six to stay within shouting distance.

The Diamondbacks will need a long outing from starter Randall Delgado on Monday after going 16 innings to seize a 4-2 win and take the rubber game at the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. That victory helped out the Reds as well, as Cincinnati pulled within 2 1/2 games of the Pirates for first place in the NL Central. The Reds broke out of an offensive funk with a 9-1 victory at Milwaukee on Sunday, one less than their run total from the previous three games.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Randall Delgado (4-3, 3.52 ERA) vs. Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (11-9, 3.35)

Delgado is 3-0 over his last six starts but was held out of the decision after allowing three runs in seven innings against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. The Panamanian surrendered a pair of home runs in that turn and five over his last three starts. Delgado lost to Cincinnati on June 23, yielding four runs on six hits - two homers - in five innings.

Arroyo is looking for his third straight quality start after holding San Diego and the Chicago Cubs to a total of one run and six hits in 14 innings. The veteran did not issue a walk in either of those starts and only 26 in 155 2/3 total innings this season. Arroyo is at his best at home, where he owns a 7-3 record with a 3.07 ERA in 2013.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Diamondbacks improved to 13-5 in extra-inning games with Sunday’s win.

2. Cincinnati LF Chris Heisey has multiple hits in back-to-back contests after going 2-for-23 in his previous 10 games.

3. Arizona 2B Aaron Hill is riding an 11-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Reds 6, Diamondbacks 3