Cincinnati @ Colorado preview
Coors Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2013 ) Cincinnati 8, Colorado 3
The Cincinnati Reds attempt to remain in the thick of the race for the National League Central title when they visit the Colorado Rockies for the rubber match of their three-game series Sunday. Cincinnati hopes to use Saturday's 8-3 victory as a springboard after losing four of its previous five contests. The Reds, who own a six-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second wild-card spot, trail the first-place Pittsburgh Pirates by 3 1/2 games in the NL Central and are 2 1/2 behind the St. Louis Cardinals.
Brandon Phillips was the offensive star for Cincinnati on Saturday, driving in two runs and scoring three more while falling a single shy of the cycle. Colorado was handed just its third loss in eight games by right-hander Greg Reynolds, who posted his first major-league victory since 2011 while with the Rockies. Veteran Todd Helton went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, keeping him one hit shy of 2,500 for his career.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), ROOT (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mike Leake (11-5, 3.27 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Tyler Chatwood (7-4, 3.15)
Leake is 1-0 over his last three starts despite allowing at least four runs in each. The 25-year-old escaped with a no-decision at St. Louis on Monday, when he surrendered five runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. Leake has made two career starts against the Rockies, going 1-0 while yielding five runs and 20 hits over 11 frames.
Chatwood is rejoining Colorado's rotation after a stint on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation. The 23-year-old last pitched on July 31, when he was tagged for eight runs - seven earned - and 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings at Atlanta. Chatwood, who is 4-1 in eight home starts, lost his only career outing against the Reds on June 3 as he allowed one run over four frames at Cincinnati.
WALK-OFFS
1. Phillips' next RBI will make him the first Cincinnati second baseman to reach the century mark since Joe Morgan plated 111 runs in 1976.
2. RHP Wilton Lopez committed his third balk of the season Saturday, tying fellow Rockies Rex Brother and Edgmer Escalona for the major-league lead. Escalona was sent outright to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Thursday.
3. The Reds return to Cincinnati for a 10-game homestand, which begins Monday with a four-game series against St. Louis.
PREDICTION: Rockies 8, Reds 6