Cincinnati @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 30, 2012 ) Cincinnati 2, San Francisco 1

No team appreciates the value of superb starting pitching more than the San Francisco Giants, who rode a string of four consecutive shutouts earlier this week to move into first place in the National League West. The last one of them came against the Cincinnati Reds, who have turned the tables on the Giants with stellar outings by Mike Leake and Mat Latos in winning the past two games. San Francisco will look to salvage a split in Sunday's finale of the four-game series.

Taking some of the luster off Latos' gem on Saturday was first baseman Joey Votto's departure in the fifth inning because of inflammation in his left knee. Votto, who is batting .350 and has a major league-best 33 doubles, hurt the knee in Friday's game and his removal was termed a precautionary measure. It's uncertain if the 2010 NL MVP will be available for Sunday's game. His replacement, Miguel Cairo, singled home what proved to be the winning run.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSO (Cincinnati), CS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (3-5, 4.13 ERA) vs. Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (7-3, 2.23)

Arroyo carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning in his last start against Milwaukee but was fortunate to wind up with a no-decision after surrendering three quick runs. Wins have been hard to come by for the 35-year-old Arroyo, who is 1-4 in his last nine starts. He is 3-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts) against San Francisco.

Vogelsong has been a model of consistency, churning out quality starts with machine-like precision. He pitched seven scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers last time out, extending his string of quality starts to 11 in a row. Vogelsong has allowed more than three runs only once in 14 starts and has worked at least seven innings in his last six outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips is 7-for-12 (.583) lifetime against Vogelsong.

2. Giants second baseman Ryan Theriot and left fielder Melky Cabrera had their hitting streaks snapped at seven and five games, respectively.

3. Reds third baseman Scott Rolen got the day off Saturday after going 0-for-15 in his previous five games.