Cincinnati @ Baltimore preview
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Last Meeting ( Jun 25, 2011 ) Cincinnati 10, Baltimore 5
THE STORY: The Cincinnati Reds will look to win an interleague series for the first time since last June when they wrap up a three-game set against the host Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. The Reds evened the series with a 10-5 victory Saturday after the Orioles won the opener 5-4 in 12 innings Friday.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio, MASN2 (Baltimore)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Homer Bailey (3-1, 3.00 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Jeremy Guthrie (2-9, 3.79). Bailey is slated to come off the disabled list to make his first start since May 26, when he left after four innings and got a no-decision in a loss to Philadelphia. Bailey is ready to return from a sprained right shoulder after three rehab starts at Triple A Louisville. Bailey has never faced Baltimore, but is 3-2 with a 6.23 ERA in eight interleague starts. Guthrie is tied with five pitchers for the most losses in the majors after dropping his third straight decision Tuesday at Pittsburgh. He allowed six runs (five earned) in 6 1/3 innings in a 9-3 loss. Run support has been a problem for Guthrie - the Orioles average 3.2 runs in games he starts and have been held to three runs or fewer in eight of his 15 starts. Guthrie has never faced the Reds.
ABOUT THE REDS (40-38): The Reds hit a season-high five home runs Saturday, helping them stay within three games of National League Central leader Milwaukee. Reigning NL MVP Joey Votto regained his power stroke, hitting two home runs and driving in five runs. Cincinnati last won an interleague series when it defeated Oakland in 2010.
ABOUT THE ORIOLES (34-40): Baltimore also set a season-high with four home runs Saturday, the first time the Orioles have hit four homers in a game since Aug. 10, 2010, at Cleveland. The Orioles are looking to avoid losing their fifth consecutive series.
FINAL PITCH: The homers Saturday were Votto's 100th and 101st of his career. He had hit only two in his previous 19 games. Votto hit 37 home runs in 2010 but has only 11 this season.