New York @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 22, 2011 ) NY Yankees 4, Cincinnati 2

THE STORY: The Cincinnati Reds’ high-powered offense has ground to a halt against American League East competition. Maybe an extra day of rest following Tuesday night’s postponement will spark the Reds, who have put up only seven runs in their last four games. They will have a chance to get untracked in Wednesday’s doubleheader when the visiting New York Yankees send two pitchers to the mound who did not figure to be on the roster this season. Reds ace Johnny Cueto goes in the nightcap against journeyman Brian Gordon, who will make his second career start for New York and fifth overall major league appearance.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WWOR (New York), Fox Sports (Ohio)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Brian Gordon (0-0, 3.37 ERA) vs. Reds RH Johnny Cueto (4-2, 1.68 ERA). The 32-year-old Gordon made his first major league start Thursday, limiting Texas to two runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He had been pitching for Philadelphia's Triple A affiliate, logging a 5-0 record and an International League-leading 1.14 ERA before exercising an opt-out clause in his contract to join the Yankees. His only previous experience in the major leagues was three relief appearances with the Rangers in 2008. Cueto has been brilliant in his last two outings, not allowing an earned run in road wins against the Giants and Dodgers. In fact, the 25-year-old Cueto has not allowed more than three runs in all eight of his starts and has yet to surrender more than seven hits in a start. He lost his only career start vs. New York, allowing one run on four hits in five innings.

ABOUT THE REDS (38-36): Cincinnati collected four hits off Yankees starter Ivan Nova. Lefty Travis Wood put the Reds in a 4-0 hole before they even came to bat, although he did show some mettle by following up with six scoreless innings. Jay Bruce and Joey Votto are both struggling to find their power strokes. Bruce has one home run and three extra-base hits in June. Votto has one homer and two doubles in his last 15 games. Leadoff batter Drew Stubbs struck out three times and is one shy of 100 for the season.

ABOUT THE YANKEES (42-29): Since being swept at home by Boston, New York has reeled off nine wins in 11 games, scoring at least nine runs on five occasions to move a season-best 13 games above .500. The Yankees bunched nearly all of their offense in the first inning in Monday’s series opener, parlaying five hits into four runs. Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano led the way with two hits and an RBI apiece. Rodriguez is on a 7-for-12 tear and Cano is batting .395 (15-for-38) during a nine-game hitting streak.

FINAL PITCH: Yankees closer Mariano Rivera picked up his 18th save Monday night. He has converted 21 consecutive opportunities against National League opponents and holds the record for interleague saves with 65.