Cincinnati @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 26, 2012 ) San Francisco 6, Cincinnati 5

The Reds begin an 11-game road trip against the Giants, who moved into a tie for first place in the NL West after sweeping the struggling Dodgers with three straight shutouts. San Francisco’s starting pitchers have allowed one earned run in their last 31 innings, but they’ll be tested by a Reds offense that scored 24 runs during its just-completed six-game homestand.

Reds 2B Brandon Phillips left Wednesday’s game against the Brewers after taking an Aramis Ramirez forearm to the head on a play at second base, but he’s hoping to play in Thursday’s series opener. The Giants are working on keeping C Buster Posey healthy after he missed most of last season with a fractured ankle and ligament damage. Posey started at first base on Wednesday, and he’s sharing time at catcher with Hector Sanchez, who’s been a pleasant surprise while batting .271 with 21 RBIs in 107 at-bats.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FSO (Cincinnati), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Johnny Cueto (9-3, 2.21 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (9-4, 3.10)

Cueto has been dominant in June, going 4-0 with a 1.47 ERA in four starts. He gave up just three hits in seven shutout innings last Saturday against the Twins, extending his scoreless streak to 12 innings. Cueto is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA in three career starts against San Francisco.

Bumgarner gave up four runs in six innings last Saturday against the Athletics, and he hasn’t allowed more than four runs in any of his 14 starts. Bumgarner has an 8.56 ERA in two career starts against Cincinnati covering 13 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds CF Drew Stubbs is 3-for-7 with a double, a home run and two stolen bases in his first three games since returning from the disabled list.

2. Giants 2B Ryan Theriot is 13-for-40 (.325) against Cueto in 45 plate appearances.

3. Dusty Baker, who managed the Giants from 1993-2002, is 14-12 as a visitor at AT&T Park during stints with the Cubs and Reds.