Astros at Reds
THE STORY: The Cincinnati Reds took care of business Tuesday in
their quest to post back-to-back winning seasons for the first time
since 1999-2000. Now they just have to win all seven of their remaining
games. Brandon Phillips has been on a home run binge and is looking like
he could join teammates Jay Bruce and Joey Votto in the 20-homer club.
The Houston Astros are struggling through the end of the worst season in
franchise history but continue to get encouraging if inconsistent
performances from a host of young players. The Reds will be looking to
keep hope alive when they host the Astros in the rubber match of the
three-game series on Wednesday.
TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, my20 (Houston), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (8-12, 5.34 ERA) vs. Astros LH Wandy Rodriguez (11-10, 3.55).
Arroyo
is struggling through his worst season as a full-time starter and has a
good chance at setting the major league record for home runs allowed.
The veteran righthander sailed past Eric Milton’s club record of 40 last
time out when he surrendered four in 6 1/3 innings to suffer a loss to
Milwaukee. With 44 total, Arroyo is four short of Jose Lima’s NL record
and six behind Bert Blyleven’s major league mark with two starts to go.
The Astros happen to be one of only three teams Arroyo has faced this
season and not allowed a homer, tossing eight innings in a no-decision
Aug. 1. Rodriguez could be down to his last couple starts for Houston,
which tried to move him at the trading deadline and figures to be
aggressive again over the winter. The veteran lefthander has allowed
three runs in each of his last four starts but has made it through the
seventh inning only once in that span. Rodriguez was knocked around by
Cincinnati for five runs in five innings to suffer a loss Aug. 2.
ABOUT THE ASTROS (53-101):
Looking for the positives, Houston has graduated a host of players from
the minors who look like they have already locked up jobs for 2012.
J.D. Martinez is among the pleasant surprises, batting .282 with six
homers and 33 RBIs in 46 games. Martinez went 3-for-5 with a homer, two
RBIs and two runs scored Tuesday and has multiple hits in each of his
last three starts. Bud Norris, a third-year player, looked like he hit
the wall Tuesday. Starting the night 30 innings over his total from
2010, Norris lasted only 2 2/3 innings while yielding seven hits and
walking a pair. The Astros removed the burly righthander with shoulder
discomfort.
ABOUT THE REDS (75-80): Cincinnati is trying to salvage a
disappointing season with a late run. The schedule includes three games
each against the Florida Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates after
Wednesday’s finale, making a winning streak seem like a possibility.
Phillips has been on a tear lately, hitting six homers in his last nine
games to bring his fourth career 20-homer season within shouting
distance. Cincinnati will have to continue without promising rookie
Yonder Alonso, who may be done for the season because of a sore right
ankle.
FINAL PITCH: Cincinnati made some announcements
concerning their pitching staff for both the remainder of the season and
the future. Johnny Cueto, who suffered a lat strain last week, is
officially out for the rest of the season with Travis Wood and Dontrelle
Willis penciled in as starters for the weekend. Additionally, the team
is considering sending Aroldis Chapman to winter ball with the intention
of stretching him out to start in 2012.