Cincinnati @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2012 ) Cincinnati 3, Chi. Cubs 1
The Cincinnati Reds will attempt to move closer to a division title Wednesday, when they take on the Chicago Cubs in the middle game of their three-game series at Wrigley Field. Cincinnati reduced its magic number for clinching the National League Central to four when it posted a 3-1 victory in the series opener on Tuesday. Ryan Hanigan provided the offense with a three-run double while Homer Bailey pitched 7 1/3 strong innings for the Reds, who lead second-place St. Louis by 11 games.
Cincinnati, which is tied with Washington for the NL lead with 89 wins apiece, has won five of its last seven games. Chicago, meanwhile, has lost three of four and is 2-3 thus far on its 10-game homestand. The Cubs, who have lost 10 of 14 meetings with the Reds this season, have totaled one run and six hits in their last two games after scoring 26 times over their previous three contests. Darwin Barney is riding a 13-game hitting streak and has gone an NL-record 133 consecutive contests without an error. The second baseman has made one miscue in 143 games this season.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), CSN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mike Leake (8-9, 4.69 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Chris Rusin (1-2, 5.06)
Leake posted his third win in four starts on Sept. 11 against Pittsburgh, allowing three runs and nine hits in seven innings. The 24-year-old has yielded three runs or less in five of his last seven outings. Leake, who is 4-2 in nine career starts against the Cubs, gave up three runs over six innings in a no-decision at Wrigley Field on Aug. 9.
Rusin will be making his fifth career start and fourth on the road. The 25-year-old posted his first major-league victory against Pittsburgh on Friday as he allowed two runs and four hits in five innings. Apart from a five-run, one-inning outing at Washington on Sept. 4, Rusin has yielded two runs or less over five frames in each of his other three starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati's Dusty Baker managed his 3,000th game Tuesday, improving his record to 1,573-1,426.
2. Barney has recorded two hits in three straight games and four of his last five. He has notched four of Chicago's six hits over its last two contests and has gone 51 straight plate appearances without striking out.
3. The Red nominated INF Todd Frazier for the Roberto Clemente Award, while the Cubs named OF David DeJesus as their candidate.