Cincinnati @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 10, 2010 ) Cincinnati 0, Philadelphia 1
Three games and three extra-inning victories.
With results like these, perhaps even the cynical Philadelphia faithful might turn its traditional frown upside down and become a happy-go-lucky bunch.
Well, probably not, but if Sunday's result matches the previous three outcomes, the short-handed Philadelphia Phillies will have plenty for which to smile.
The Phillies (46-40) will vie for a four-game sweep against the Cincinnati Reds (49-40) on Sunday when Cole Hamels takes the hill against Matt Maloney.
Matt Maloney, who's that? Well, the same could be said about Cincinnati rookie Travis Wood, but the 23-year-old left-hander introduced himself in dominating fashion on Saturday.
Wood pitched eight perfect innings before permitting a leadoff double to Carlos Ruiz in the ninth. The southpaw finished with a no-decision, but Ruiz would double again in the 11th and come around to score on Jimmy Rollins' RBI single as the Phillies escaped with a 1-0 triumph.
The victory marked the third nail-biting decision for the Phillies, who have posted a 4-3 win on Brian Schneider's home run in the 12th inning on Thursday. On Friday, a six-run ninth inning leveled the contest before Ryan Howard's two-run blast in the 10th enabled Philadelphia to record a 9-7 decision.
Now, back to the original question on the identity of Maloney (0-1, 4.76 ERA).
The 26-year-old left-hander made a spot start when Aaron Harang was briskly shuffled to the disabled list with lower back spasms.
Maloney fared relatively well, allowing three runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings in his lone start of the season - a 3-0 loss to the New York Mets on Tuesday. With only eight career starts under his belt, Maloney will see the Phillies for the first time.
Philadelphia will counter with Hamels (6-7, 4.05 ERA), who has received limited run support en route to limping to a 4-5 mark with a 3.54 ERA in his past 12 outings.
Case in point: The 26-year-old southpaw has allowed just three runs and struck out eight over seven innings in his last two outings - only to suffer a loss and a no-decision for his efforts.
Hamels has owned the Reds, however. He is 5-0 with a 1.26 ERA in six starts against the Queen City representatives.
Hamels may not have to face All-Star Scott Rolen, who has missed two straight games with a stiff back. The former Phillie is batting .292 with 17 homers and 57 RBIs this season.