The Pirates will try to end an eight-game losing streak to the Reds on Friday night when they wrap up the season with the first of three games at Great American Ball Park.
The Pirates need one win in Cincinnati to avoid their first 100-loss season since 2001, but that could be challenging. Pittsburgh has been outscored 56-22 during its skid to the Reds (76-83), and a loss Friday would match its longest losing streak to Cincinnati since May 18-Sept. 2, 1986.
Justin Lehr (5-2, 5.46) will try to help the Reds bounce back after being pounded by the Cardinals as he takes the mound looking to improve to 3-0 at home. Lehr’s latest outing came Saturday at Houston, as he gave up four runs over five innings in a 10-4 win.
Lehr allowed four runs in six innings in a 11-5 win over Pittsburgh on Sept. 1, but was also the last Reds pitcher to lose to the Pirates. He surrendered six runs over five innings in a 12-2 defeat at PNC Park on Aug. 22.
Pittsburgh rookie Daniel McCutchen (0-2, 4.80) will get a final shot at his first major league win, and he looked good in his last start despite leaving without a decision. He limited the Dodgers to two runs over six innings Sunday in the Pirates’ 6-5 victory.
McCutchen made his major league debut in Cincinnati on Aug. 31, allowing three runs in six innings. He didn’t get a decision in the 4-3 loss.
Center fielder Drew Stubbs has 31 singles this season, including 11 infield hits, so he knows how to use his speed.
Stubbs said some defenders become complacent at the major league level, and some batters don't run as hard to first base as they possibly could.
"In my case, there are a lot of hits to be had hustling down the line. I try to do that every time, and once in a while you get rewarded," he said.
Manager Dusty Baker loves seeing the speedy Stubbs blur by.
"He isn't going to keep surprising 'em," Baker said.
"They'll shorten up in the infield and open up holes for him. Speed is a wonderful thing. It makes you hurry, it makes you make mistakes and makes you do things you don't ordinarily do. I welcome it, I love speed."
CARDINALS 13, REDS 0: The Reds mustered only three hits off RHP Chris Carpenter over five innings, and Carpenter hit a grand slam in the second inning, his first career homer. He finished with six RBIs, matching his previous career total.
RF Jay Bruce, LHP Ben Jukich, RHP Jeff Kennard, RHP Sam Lecure, 1B Logan Parker, OF Chris Heisey and possibly 1B Yonder Alonso are scheduled to play for Aguilas in the Dominican Winter League.
2B Brandon Phillips remains stuck on 95 RBIs with three games left to reach 100. But he is the only player in Reds history with more than 20 homers, 20 steals and 20 doubles in three consecutive seasons.
RHP Justin Lehr will start in place of LHP Matt Maloney on Friday against the Pirates. Maloney, who's had problems with blisters previously, has developed one on his left middle finger. Lehr was honored as the Class AAA International League's Most Valuable Pitcher before Cincinnati's game Wednesday against the Cardinals.
By The Numbers:
22—Wins for the Reds from Aug. 23 to Sept. 25, tops in the majors over that stretch. Boston was second with 21.
Quote To Note:
"The magic number is 75 wins, and while that may not seem like much, it is one more win than we had last year and you always need to have a goal."
—Manager Dusty Baker
1B Joey Votto hit only .220 with four homers, four doubles and 15 RBIs in August. "Still a tough month for me to get through because of the off-field stuff," he said, referring to his father's death. Votto rebounded to bat .374 (34-for-91) in September, setting a club record for most doubles in a month with 16.
RHP Justin Lehr, a long shot to make the rotation next year, gets another chance to make his case when he faces the Pirates on Friday. Lehr (5-2, 5.46 ERA) is making his third start this year against the Pirates. In his career, he is 3-1 with a 5.74 ERA in six games (two starts) vs. Pittsburgh.
OF Laynce Nix, who has an outside chance to be with the team next season, has made eight appearances (five starts) since coming off the disabled list Sept. 15. In that time, he has two hits in 22 at-bats. Both hits are home runs, including Wednesday's grand slam against the Cardinals.
Medical Watch:
LHP Matt Maloney (blister on left middle finger) was scratched from his Oct. 2 start.
OF Chris Dickerson (sprained left ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 24. He was activated Sept. 30, but he won't start any games in the remainder of the season.
RHP Aaron Harang (appendectomy) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 21. He had emergency surgery Aug. 22 and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
INF Danny Richar (torn labrum in left shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list July 3, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on Sept. 2. He had season-ending surgery July 28.
RHP Edinson Volquez (right elbow tendinitis) went on the 15-day disabled list June 2, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on Aug. 25. He suffered more pain a simulated game July 31, and he underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on Aug. 3.
RHP Mike Lincoln (bulging neck disk) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 13, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on Aug. 25. He had season-ending disk-replacement surgery July 20.
UT Wilkin Castillo (torn labrum in right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 21. He had season-ending surgery July 1 and was moved to the 60-day disabled list July 3.