Cincinnati @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 18, 2012 ) Cincinnati 9, Cleveland 10
The Cleveland Indians are a different team when facing in-state rival Cincinnati at home - and for that matter, so are the Reds. The Indians have won five straight meetings at Progressive Field, a streak they'll try to extend on Tuesday when the interleague series continues with right-handers Mike Leake and Josh Tomlin facing off for the second time in less than a week.
Cleveland broke out for a season-high eight extra-base hits in a 10-9 win in Monday's series opener and scored in double digits for the first time since April 15. The Reds, who entered the series on a six-game winning streak, lead the National League Central by 3 1/2 games over Pittsburgh. The Indians are a half-game behind the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mike Leake (2-5, 5.05 ERA) vs. Indians RH Josh Tomlin (3-4, 5.56 ERA)
Leake wasn't 100 percent when he faced the Indians on Thursday, as he was battling an illness that made its way through the Reds' clubhouse. He allowed three runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. Leake hasn't lost since May 11 against Washington, a span of six starts.
A pair of home runs hurt Tomlin in his last matchup with Leake and the Reds, as he allowed six runs on 10 hits and lasted just four innings. Tomlin has alternated wins and losses in his last four starts, but he has just one quality start during that stretch.
WALK-OFFS
1. Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo has hit three of his six home runs this season against the Reds. He has seven homers in 22 career games against Cincinnati.
2. Jay Bruce has homered in three of his last four games and has hit three of Cincinnati's last five homers.
3. Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips went 3-for-5 Monday and is hitting .444 (16-for-36) during his eight-game hitting streak.