Rockies at Reds
After getting swept over the weekend, the Colorado Rockies have a chance to pick up a sweep of their own when they complete a three-game series at the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. The Rockies have a pair of three-run wins to begin the set, including Wednesday's 6-3 triumph.
Ian Desmond slugged a two-run homer and Colorado's bullpen put together four scoreless innings as the Rockies improved to 4-1 in the season series with the Reds. Cincinnati has lost four straight despite recording 48 hits in that span, leaving 39 runners on base - a season high-tying 13 in Wednesday's loss. Scooter Gennett remains a bright spot for the Reds (21-41), as the slugging second baseman recorded an RBI double and a sacrifice fly - driving in at least one run in 10 of his last 14 contests. Colorado's Tyler Anderson outdueled Tyler Mahle on the mound in a matchup at Coors Field last month and the two will start again in the finale.
TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (3-1, 5.07 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tyler Mahle (4-6, 4.38)
Anderson has an ERA of 6.67 over his last five starts and the Rockies have lost four of them, including Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who got to him for five runs in five innings. The 28-year-old has allowed eight home runs in a span of six outings and served up a pair in a no-decision against the Reds two turns ago. He is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in two career meetings with Cincinnati.
Mahle was tagged for four runs in five innings at Colorado on May 26 before heading to San Diego and blanking the Padres over five frames in a win. Charlie Blackmon is 2-for-2 with a triple and a walk against Mahle, who is 0-3 over his last four home starts. The California native is 1-4 with a 4.72 ERA in six career starts at Great American Ball Park.
WALK-OFFS
1. Colorado is 21-13 on the road and Cincinnati is 9-21 at home.
2. Reds 1B Joey Votto is 9-for-19 during the four-game hitting streak.
3. Rockies RF Carlos Gonzalez is 4-for-9 with a home run, a double, four RBIs and four runs scored in the series.