Reds at Brewers
Two teams trying to remain in the National League Central race open a three-game series when the Milwaukee Brewers host the Cincinnati Reds. Milwaukee lost three starting players during a 3-6 road trip and spirits needed a boost after Sunday’s 11-inning loss to the San Francisco Giants. Cincinnati beat the Pittsburgh Pirates to creep back above .500 and is playing the fourth contest of a stretch in which 13 of 16 games are on the road.
The Brewers lost first baseman Mat Gamel to a season-ending knee injury, shortstop Alex Gonzalez (knee) and outfielder Carlos Gomez (hamstring) during the troublesome road swing. Milwaukee received a game-tying double by Travis Ishikawa in the ninth inning Sunday but let the contest slip away in the 11th. Cincinnati pitchers matched a franchise nine-inning record with 17 strikeouts in Sunday’s victory, and Drew Stubbs had three hits and three runs. Starter Bronson Arroyo will be observed closely after his back flared up during his last start.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati), Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (1-1, 3.03 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (1-3, 5.79 ERA)
Arroyo has allowed a total of seven earned runs over his last four starts and has just one win to show. He lost to the Chicago Cubs in his most-recent outing when he gave up three runs and nine hits in six innings. Arroyo is 11-8 with a 3.82 ERA in 24 career appearances (21 starts) against Milwaukee.
Gallardo also should have more than one victory as he has allowed two or fewer runs three times. His ERA is high because the St. Louis Cardinals have pounded him twice to the tune of 14 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. Gallardo is 3-3 with a 5.34 ERA in 11 career starts against Cincinnati.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has three homers in 38 career at-bats against Arroyo.
2. Gallardo has had significant trouble against the Cincinnati trio of third baseman Scott Rolen (.538 in 13 at-bats), outfielder Jay Bruce (.471 in 17 at-bats) and first baseman Joey Votto (10 RBIs in 21 at-bats).
3. Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks had a double Sunday for his first extra-base hit since April 24.