Cincinnati @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 16, 2011 ) Cincinnati 4, Washington 6
THE STORY: Washington has won five of its last six at home, but the Nationals will be hard pressed to continue that trend Wednesday when they face the Reds in the second of a three-game series. Cincinnati starter Johnny Cueto leads the National League in ERA and the Reds have won five of his last seven starts. Cueto has held his opponent scoreless in three of his last four outings.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Ross Detwiler (1-2, 3.20 ERA) vs. Reds RH Johnny Cueto (8-5, 1.94).
The 25-year-old Detwiler makes his third straight start since being pulled from the bullpen. He has gone five innings each time, and allowed a total of five runs, 12 hits and five walks. Detwiler seems better suited for relief but is doing an admirable job of keeping his team in the game. Cueto tossed seven shutout innings against the Rockies last time out. Opponents are hitting .201 against him. Lifetime, he is 3-2 with a 5.02 ERA against Washington.
ABOUT THE NATIONALS (58-62): First baseman and cleanup hitter Michael Morse has been carrying the Nationals lately. After he homered and doubled in Tuesday’s 6-4 victory, Morse is 23-for-54 (.426) in his last 14 games with four homers and 13 RBIs. Washington is flirting with .500 and can look forward to the return of pitching sensation Stephen Strasburg. In his first two minor-league rehab starts, Strasburg has allowed one run and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. He has nine strikeouts without a walk and has been clocked in the high 90s.
ABOUT THE REDS (59-63): Yonder Alonso got another chance in left field Tuesday after not starting there for eight games. He went 2-for-4 to lift his average to .435, but remains a defensive liability. Shortstop Edgar Renteria left Tuesday’s game in the seventh inning after straining his left groin while running the bases. He will be re-evaluated Wednesday. Mike Leake’s streak of quality starts ended at five Tuesday. The Reds have dropped 12 of their last 17 on the road.
FINAL PITCH: Nationals closer Drew Storen has 32 saves in 36 chances after pitching a perfect ninth Tuesday.