Cincinnati Reds (30-43) at Cleveland Indians (37-34), 7:05 p.m.
Probable Starting Pitchers: Cincinnati - Luke Hudson (1-1, 5.63) Cleveland - Jake Westbrook (4-9, 4.57)
(Sports Network) - Jerry Narron seems to have the magical touch for the Cincinnati Reds, as they have ripped off three straight victories to start his interim stint at the helm. Narron's Reds will try to keep the new skipper happy tonight, when they continue their three-game interleague series against the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field.
Cincinnati registered a 5-4 win over the Indians on Friday night, scoring a run in the eighth and ninth innings to recover for the victory. Felipe Lopez ripped a go-ahead double in the ninth inning and Ken Griffey Jr. belted two home runs in the win. Griffey's second longball came in the eighth to knot the game at 4-4. The star outfielder has hit safely in 22 of his last 26 contests.
Griffey had three hits on Friday night, while Lopez and Joe Randa added two apiece. Randa, who has a nine-game hit streak, hit a solo homer of his own in the victory. Griffey passed Dave Parker for 43rd all-time with 1,494 RBI in his career.
Journeyman reliever Kent Mercker (2-1) picked up the victory with a perfect eighth while David Weathers got his third save with a scoreless ninth. Mercker posted his first save since 2003 on Wednesday.
Cincinnati starter Eric Milton gave up four runs on six hits in a six-inning no-decision. Milton surrendered his league-leading 26th and 27th homers in the tilt.
The Reds called up third baseman Edwin Encarnacion from Triple-A Louisville and placed outfielder Kenny Kelly on the 15-day disabled list prior to the game. Encarnacion went 0-for-4 in his major league debut.
Reds utility man Ryan Freel missed his fifth straight game with a toe injury. Freel is doubtful for this evening's contest.
Cincinnati, which has won three straight for the first time since sweeping Tampa Bay from June 7-9, will be going for its first four-game win streak since September 28-October 1, 2004 tonight.
Cincinnati, which is in the midst of a five-game road trip, is just 7-24 in foreign buildings this season. The Reds have still dropped eight of nine and 11 of their last 13 road contests.
The Reds will pin their hopes on righthander Luke Hudson tonight. Hudson is 1-1 over his first three starts of the season after getting off the disabled list. The University of Tennessee product didn't get a decision in his last start despite surrendering four hits and two runs over five innings versus Atlanta. Hudson left with a five-run lead, but the bullpen blew the contest. Control has been an issue for Hudson, as he has walked 13 in 16 innings of work this season.
Hudson will be facing the Indians for the first time in his career.
Taking the ball for Cleveland tonight will be Jake Westbrook, who has won consecutive starts for the first time this season. Westbrook has beaten Colorado and Arizona in his last two outings, allowing just four earned runs over 15 innings of action. In fact, Westbrook has surrendered more than two earned runs in just one of his last eight starts.
Last time on the hill, Westbrook limited the Diamondbacks to just five hits and two runs over eight solid innings. The 27-year-old struck out five and didn't walk anyone in the victory. Westbrook has fanned 50 and walked 24 this season.
Westbrook made one other career start against the Reds, holding them to seven hits and one run over 7 2/3 innings of a tough luck no-decision.
Indians reliever Bob Howry (4-2) took the loss after allowing the game-winning run in the ninth frame. Howry has surrendered three runs in 1 1/3 innings over the last two games.
Cleveland starter Scott Elarton left after six innings, during which he allowed three runs on seven hits.
Jose Hernandez belted a pair of homers for the Indians, while Victor Martinez and Ron Belliard added a RBI each in their fourth consecutive loss.
Casey Blake went 1-for-4, pushing his hitting streak to 11 games, while Grady Sizemore saw his hit streak come to an end at 12.
Former Red Aaron Boone went 0-for-3 on Friday, dropping his average under .200 once again.
Cleveland, which is in the middle of a 12-game homestand, is 17-17 in its friendly confines this season.
Cleveland took two of three from the Reds in Cincinnati from May 20-22, winning the final two of the set. The Indians are 8-5 versus the Reds since the start of the 2003 campaign. Cleveland is 21-16 all-time against Cincinnati, including a 10-9 mark at the Jake. The Reds haven't won a season series with Cleveland since 1997.
The Indians are 83-72 all-time in interleague action, while Cincinnati is just 55-67 against the American League. Cleveland is 13-3 in interleague play this season, while the Reds are 7-6.
Originally Posted by westofyou
