Cincinnati @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2012 ) Cincinnati 8, Houston 3
The Cincinnati Reds seek their sixth consecutive victory Tuesday when they take on the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in the middle game of their three-game series. Coming off an 8-2 homestand, Cincinnati began its six-game road trip in fine fashion Monday, winning for the 12th time in 14 contests. The Reds collected a season high-tying 17 hits and went 7-for-16 with runners in scoring position as they improved to 16 games over .500 (56-40).
Cincinnati increased its lead over Pittsburgh in the National League Central to 1 1/2 games as the Pirates fell to Chicago. Houston, meanwhile, is 22 1/2 games behind the Reds as its major league-worst record dropped to 34-63. The Astros, who have allowed 41 runs over their last four contests, have lost seven in a row, 11 of 12 and 20 of 22.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN (Cincinnati, Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mike Leake (3-6, 4.25 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lucas Harrell (7-7, 4.24)
Leake has won just once in his last eight starts despite allowing two earned runs or less in five of those outings. The 24-year-old struggled against Arizona on Thursday, however, surrendering six runs and 11 hits over 5 1/3 innings but escaping with a no-decision. Leake is 3-4 in nine career games - seven starts - against the Astros, including a victory at Houston on June 1 in which he yielded one run over seven frames.
Harrell has allowed fewer than two runs in four of his last five outings but has earned only one win in that stretch. The 27-year-old was superb at San Diego on Thursday but suffered the loss after giving up just one run and four hits over seven innings. Harrell lost his only career start against the Reds, surrendering six runs and nine hits over six frames at Cincinnati on April 28.
WALK-OFFS
1. Reds 2B Brandon Phillips is hitting .375 (12-for-32) with nine RBIs in eight games since being moved to the third spot in the batting order to fill in for the injured Joey Votto.
2. Cincinnati OF Jay Bruce was given the night off against Astros LHP Wandy Rodriguez but entered Monday's game in the seventh inning as a pinch hitter and delivered an RBI single. Bruce remained in the contest in right field and finished 1-for-2.
3. Houston 3B Chris Johnson tied his career high with four hits.