Atlanta @ Cincinnati preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 22, 2011 ) Atlanta 6, Cincinnati 4

THE STORY: The baseballs could be flying out of the Great American Ballpark again Saturday when the Cincinnati Reds host the Atlanta Braves in the second game of a three-game series. The teams combined for seven homers Friday and more homer-loving hot weather is forecast for Saturday. Atlanta has won two straight and is 3-2 on its current road trip. The Braves, who lead the National League wild card race, are 10½ games ahead of the Reds, who are seventh in the wild card standings.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Derek Lowe (6-7, 4.37 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (4-4, 3.74).

After going nearly two months without a win, Lowe has won three of his last four decisions. He has been helped by solid run support as the Braves averaged 5.6 runs in those three victories. He allowed four runs in 6 1/3 innings in his last start against the Rockies. Rumors are the Braves may be shopping Lowe to an American League contender looking for a veteran arm - possibly the Tigers - to help alleviate salary woes and pave the way for one of the club's many young pitching prospects. Lowe is 4-2 with a 3.89 ERA in six career starts against the Reds. He was beaten 7-6 by Cincinnati on May 28 when he allowed five runs in 3 1/3 innings. Bailey pitched well in his last outing and broke a four-game losing streak. He allowed only one run and three hits in 7 1/3 innings against the Cardinals. It was his best effort since spending a month on the disabled list. He allowed 12 earned runs in 18 innings in his three previous starts. Bailey has been tough at home where he has a 2.39 ERA in six starts and has limited the opposition to a .239 batting average. Bailey will be making his first career appearance against Atlanta.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (59-41): Dan Uggla didn’t start Friday because of a tweaked calf muscle, but came off the bench to hit his first career pinch-hit home run. The two-run shot, which extended Uggla’s hitting streak to a career-high 13 games and improved his average to .195, came in the ninth inning and gave the Braves a 6-4 victory. Martin Prado may continue to bat leadoff until Jordan Schafer (jammed knuckle) can return to the lineup. The versatile Prado is 4-for-8 with a home run while leading off the last two games. Closer Craig Kimbrel set a club record for saves by a rookie with his 31st on Friday. Kimbrel is 1-0 with eight saves in July as he has allowed no runs and struck out 14 in nine innings.

ABOUT THE REDS (48-51): Jay Bruce is expected to return to the lineup Saturday. He was scheduled to start in right field Friday, but told manager Dusty Baker that he was feeling dizzy and couldn’t play. Zack Cozart is expected to get every opportunity to keep the shortstop job. Cozart is batting .324 with two homers in 10 games since being called up from Triple A Louisville. Drew Stubbs broke a 20-game homerless streak Friday, hitting his first homer since June 25. It was his first hit against Atlanta pitcher Jair Jurrjens - he had been 0-for-12. Reliever Aroldis Chapman has not been scored upon in nine of his last 10 outings. He has allowed two hits and struck out 17 in 9 2/3 innings over that span. Reliever Jose Arredondo was activated from the 15-day DL, and Jeremy Horst was sent to Louisville.

FINAL PITCH: The Reds placed Scott Rolen on the 15-day DL with shoulder soreness and recalled Todd Frazier. Frazier was hitting .260 with 15 home runs for Louisville.