San Francisco @ Cincinnati preview
Great American Ball Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 8, 2010 ) San Francisco 3, Cincinnati 0
Pat Burrell is starting to look like his old self in the National League. Of course, it helps that Juan Uribe is hitting in front of him.
Burrell and Uribe will be looking to lead the San Francisco Giants to their sixth win in seven games tonight when they face the Cincinnati Reds.
Burrell was signed to a minor league deal by the Giants after being designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays in the middle of May. A former All-Star for the Philadelphia Phillies, Burrell signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Rays prior to the 2009 season and never seemed to fit in the American League East, batting .217 with 16 homers in 146 total games.
But Burrell has delivered since being called up by San Francisco, going 5-for-12 (.417) in three starts for his new team.
Uribe has taken some pressure off the rest of the Giants hitters lately, driving in nine runs in the last five games. The utility infielder has settled in nicely as the shortstop with Edgar Renteria on the disabled list and jacked his ninth homer during Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Reds.
Jonathan Sanchez will take the mound for the Giants today. The 27-year-old left-hander has earned the win in his last two starts, allowing one earned run in 11 1/3 combined innings. Sanchez has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of 11 starts this season.
One of the top strikeout pitchers in the National League since his debut as a reliever in 2006, this year has been no different, with Sanchez punching out 68 batters in 68 1/3 total innings.
He has made two starts against the Reds in his career and dominated both times, allowing two runs and seven hits while striking out 18 in 13 2/3 innings to earn two wins.
Cincinnati will counter with veteran right-hander Aaron Harang. The 32-year-old Harang had a two-start winning streak snapped last time out at Washington, when he allowed two runs and eight hits in just four innings.
Once the ace of the Reds staff, Harang has struggled the past few seasons and seems to be even worse in 2010, allowing opponents a .306 batting average and posting a 5.43 ERA. Signed to a four-year, $36.5 million contract prior to the 2007 season, Cincinnati likely has no intention of picking up its $12.75 million option for 2011.
Harang has made 12 starts against San Francisco in his career, owning a 4-6 record with a 3.62 ERA.