Cardinals at Reds
The Cincinnati Reds staged a dramatic rally to halt a four-game slide in the series opener and look to ride the momentum when they host the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. The Reds were one out away from being blanked before recording a 2-1 victory on Monday.
Cincinnati notched just one hit through 8 2/3 innings in the opener before Eugenio Suarez belted the tying homer before pinch-hitter Dilson Herrera delivered a bases-loaded single to complete the comeback. All-Star Scooter Gennett is expected back in the starting lineup after an illness limited him to pinch-hitting duties on Monday. Reliever Bud Norris' failure to hold the lead in the opener leaves St. Louis with seven setbacks in its last 10 games. Yadier Molina recorded a run-scoring single while the hot-hitting Matt Carpenter registered two of the Cardinals' five hits.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals LH Austin Gomber (0-0, 3.77 ERA) vs. Reds RH Homer Bailey (1-7, 6.68)
Gomber is making his first major-league start following 15 appearances out of the bullpen earlier this season. The 24-year-old was 7-3 with a 3.42 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts) at Triple-A Memphis, and his victory on July 17 was his fifth in a row - one of which came in relief. Gomber has worked 1 2/3 scoreless frames in two appearances against Cincinnati this year, allowing one hit and three walks while striking out one.
Bailey will be activated from the 10-day disabled list to make his first start since May 28. The 32-year-old was experiencing a poor campaign before being sidelined with a knee injury and went 2-2 with a 4.78 ERA in seven rehab outings for Triple-A Louisville. Bailey is just 6-14 with a 5.71 ERA in 25 career starts versus the Cardinals, including an 0-1 mark and 4.26 ERA in two outings this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Carpenter was named National League Player of the Week after going 9-for-17 with six homers, two doubles and three walks in a five-game series against the Chicago Cubs.
2. Cincinnati INF Alex Blandino (knee) underwent season-ending reconstructive surgery on Monday - three days after being injured against Pittsburgh.
3. St. Louis 2B Kolten Wong (knee) was placed on the 10-day disabled list and the team reached down to Triple-A Memphis to recall RHP Daniel Poncedeleon, who pitched seven perfect innings on Monday in his major-league debut.