reds44
06-15-2006, 12:12 AM
Now that the + and - streaks are both over, time for a reset.
Results from the steak:
W last game in Chicago
Sweep in Houston
Sweep in St. Louis
W first game vs. Chicago
L last 3 vs. Chicago
L first 2 vs. Brewers
Win last 1 vs. Brewers
Last 14 games:
9-5 (all vs. N.L. Central)
NL Central Standings:
Cardinals: 38-26 (4-6 last 10) --
Reds: 37-29 (5-5) 2 GB
Astros: 34-32 (7-3) 5 GB
Brewers 32-35 (6-4) 7 GB
Cubs: 26-38 (4-6) 12 GB
Brewers: 26-40 (5-5) 12 GB
Wild Card:
Reds lead L.A. by 1 game, everyone else by at least 3
Next up:
vs. White Sox
Trying to claw the ground for traction again after they snapped a five-game losing streak on Wednesday, the schedule has presented a challenging wrinkle for the Reds.
Interleague Play has returned following a three-week sabbatical and the Reds have drawn one of the toughest American League clubs. The World Series champion White Sox will be in town for three games, beginning Friday.
"The White Sox are a great team," Reds utility player and leadoff hitter Ryan Freel said. "Everything about that team is legit. We're going to have to be on top of our game. We can't make mistakes. We have to play everything flawless against this team here and hope for the best."
White Sox designated hitter Jim Thome leads the AL with 21 homers but could lose some at-bats this weekend. With the series being played at Great American Ball Park, Chicago's pitchers have to hit.
Cincinnati's losing streak ended with Wednesday's 3-0 win in 11 innings over Milwaukee. Adam Dunn's walkoff homer ended an 0-for-24 club skid with runners in scoring position. Reds hitters have batted just .227 over their last six games.
"It seems like we can't get a hit with guys in scoring position," Reds manager Jerry Narron said. "I really feel like we're going to put together a good stretch where everybody is hitting and we're scoring a lot of runs. I just keep waiting for it to happen."
The White Sox are in second place in the AL Central, trailing Detroit by 1 1/2 games. They own the league's second-best record.
Brandon Claussen will start the series opener for the Reds against Freddy Garcia.
Claussen was a 4-2 loser to the Cubs Saturday but pitched well in 6 2/3 innings. All three of the runs charged to him came in the seventh inning when reliever Esteban Yan allowed a two-out grand slam.
Garcia lasted 5 2/3 innings in his last start against the Indians and was touched up for eight earned runs, including three home runs, and his four walks all came around to score.
On Saturday, AL ERA leader Jose Contreras (7-0, 2.62 ERA) starts for the White Sox against Reds lefty Eric Milton. Aaron Harang starts the finale for Cincinnati against Jon Garland.
History has not been kind to the Reds in their earlier Interleague meetings against Chicago. Cincinnati is 2-9 all-time against the White Sox since 1997, including a still active six-game losing streak.
"It'll be good to see the White Sox," Narron said. "They are the best. It seems like we play our best baseball against the better teams. We'll see if that can continue."
Pitching matchup
CIN: LHP Brandon Claussen (3-7, 5.28 ERA)
Has one victory over his last eight starts for Cincinnati.
CWS: RHP Freddy Garcia (7-4, 5.13 ERA)
Is 0-3 with a 6.62 ERA over his last four starts.
Player to watch:
Dunn has home runs in four-straight games and is batting .304 through seven games of the home stand.
Interleague by the numbers:
All-time Record vs. CWS: 2-9
All-time record vs. AL: 56-71
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes
On television
• FSN Ohio
On radio
• WLW 700-AM
Up next
• Sat: White Sox (RHP Jose Contreras, 7-0, 2.62 ERA) at Reds (LHP Eric Milton, 4-3, 4.10 ERA), 6:10 p.m. ET
• Sun: White Sox (RHP Jon Garland, 5-3, 6.01 ERA) at Reds (RHP Aaron Harang, 7-4, 3.91 ERA), 1:15 p.m. ET
Results from the steak:
W last game in Chicago
Sweep in Houston
Sweep in St. Louis
W first game vs. Chicago
L last 3 vs. Chicago
L first 2 vs. Brewers
Win last 1 vs. Brewers
Last 14 games:
9-5 (all vs. N.L. Central)
NL Central Standings:
Cardinals: 38-26 (4-6 last 10) --
Reds: 37-29 (5-5) 2 GB
Astros: 34-32 (7-3) 5 GB
Brewers 32-35 (6-4) 7 GB
Cubs: 26-38 (4-6) 12 GB
Brewers: 26-40 (5-5) 12 GB
Wild Card:
Reds lead L.A. by 1 game, everyone else by at least 3
Next up:
vs. White Sox
Trying to claw the ground for traction again after they snapped a five-game losing streak on Wednesday, the schedule has presented a challenging wrinkle for the Reds.
Interleague Play has returned following a three-week sabbatical and the Reds have drawn one of the toughest American League clubs. The World Series champion White Sox will be in town for three games, beginning Friday.
"The White Sox are a great team," Reds utility player and leadoff hitter Ryan Freel said. "Everything about that team is legit. We're going to have to be on top of our game. We can't make mistakes. We have to play everything flawless against this team here and hope for the best."
White Sox designated hitter Jim Thome leads the AL with 21 homers but could lose some at-bats this weekend. With the series being played at Great American Ball Park, Chicago's pitchers have to hit.
Cincinnati's losing streak ended with Wednesday's 3-0 win in 11 innings over Milwaukee. Adam Dunn's walkoff homer ended an 0-for-24 club skid with runners in scoring position. Reds hitters have batted just .227 over their last six games.
"It seems like we can't get a hit with guys in scoring position," Reds manager Jerry Narron said. "I really feel like we're going to put together a good stretch where everybody is hitting and we're scoring a lot of runs. I just keep waiting for it to happen."
The White Sox are in second place in the AL Central, trailing Detroit by 1 1/2 games. They own the league's second-best record.
Brandon Claussen will start the series opener for the Reds against Freddy Garcia.
Claussen was a 4-2 loser to the Cubs Saturday but pitched well in 6 2/3 innings. All three of the runs charged to him came in the seventh inning when reliever Esteban Yan allowed a two-out grand slam.
Garcia lasted 5 2/3 innings in his last start against the Indians and was touched up for eight earned runs, including three home runs, and his four walks all came around to score.
On Saturday, AL ERA leader Jose Contreras (7-0, 2.62 ERA) starts for the White Sox against Reds lefty Eric Milton. Aaron Harang starts the finale for Cincinnati against Jon Garland.
History has not been kind to the Reds in their earlier Interleague meetings against Chicago. Cincinnati is 2-9 all-time against the White Sox since 1997, including a still active six-game losing streak.
"It'll be good to see the White Sox," Narron said. "They are the best. It seems like we play our best baseball against the better teams. We'll see if that can continue."
Pitching matchup
CIN: LHP Brandon Claussen (3-7, 5.28 ERA)
Has one victory over his last eight starts for Cincinnati.
CWS: RHP Freddy Garcia (7-4, 5.13 ERA)
Is 0-3 with a 6.62 ERA over his last four starts.
Player to watch:
Dunn has home runs in four-straight games and is batting .304 through seven games of the home stand.
Interleague by the numbers:
All-time Record vs. CWS: 2-9
All-time record vs. AL: 56-71
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes
On television
• FSN Ohio
On radio
• WLW 700-AM
Up next
• Sat: White Sox (RHP Jose Contreras, 7-0, 2.62 ERA) at Reds (LHP Eric Milton, 4-3, 4.10 ERA), 6:10 p.m. ET
• Sun: White Sox (RHP Jon Garland, 5-3, 6.01 ERA) at Reds (RHP Aaron Harang, 7-4, 3.91 ERA), 1:15 p.m. ET