Cincinnati @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 6, 2012 ) Cincinnati 6, San Diego 0

The Reds are hoping to lead the NL Central at the All-Star break, and they moved one step closer with a 6-0 win over San Diego in Friday’s series opener. Cincinnati trails Pittsburgh by one game after the victory, which featured Bronson Arroyo’s 13th career complete game. Third baseman Scott Rolen missed his fifth straight start with a sore back, but could return Saturday. Todd Frazier is batting .274 with nine homers and 29 RBIs, and he’ll likely continue to share time with Rolen at third base in the second half of the season.

San Diego’s season-high six-game winning streak came to an end Friday, but the team has reason to be optimistic for the first time in awhile. The Padres appear close to being sold to the O’Malley Group, and rookie Yasmani Grandal has provided an instant upgrade over veteran Nick Hundley at catcher. With the trade deadline fast approaching, teams are targeting closer Huston Street, outfielder Carlos Quentin and third baseman Chase Headley, who leads the Padres in home runs (eight) and RBIs (42). Starting pitchers Edinson Volquez and Clayton Richard could also be on the trading block.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSOH (Cincinnati), FSSD (San Diego)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (6-6, 4.24 ERA) vs. Padres LH Clayton Richard (6-8, 3.64)

Bailey is 3-0 with a 3.48 ERA in five career starts against the Padres. He bounced back from two subpar starts with a solid outing against the Dodgers last Monday, when he gave up two runs over eight innings. Bailey has struggled at home, but he’s 5-2 with a 2.96 ERA in eight road starts.

Richard is 5-3 with a 2.58 ERA over his last 10 starts, lowering his ERA from 5.32 to 3.64 during that stretch. He’s posted a quality start in nine of his last 12 outings, including last Monday against Arizona when he gave up two runs over 8 2/3 innings. He’s 0-1 with a 5.57 ERA in four career starts against the Reds.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds CF Drew Stubbs snapped a career-worst 0-for-32 skid with a ninth-inning double on Friday.

2. Headley singled in the ninth inning on Friday to extend his hitting streak to 11 games.

3. Reds starters have produced a season-high nine straight quality starts.