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Giants-Reds Preview

May 3, 2016 - 4:16 AM San Francisco and Cincinnati are dealing with injuries to key players, yet the Giants might be better equipped to handle the situation.

They'll try for a fifth consecutive road victory over the Reds on Tuesday night.

With Joe Panik (groin) and Angel Pagan (hamstring) out, San Francisco (14-13) overcame a six-run third inning by Cincinnati that led to a three-run deficit in Monday's 9-6 victory. Brandon Crawford's three-run homer highlighted a five-run seventh for the Giants, who have totaled 39 runs in their last four games at Great American Ballpark.

Crawford, batting .306 in the last 11 games, is 9 for 18 with two homers and 12 RBIs in the last four at Cincinnati. It's possible he will see the return of double-play partner Panik to the lineup as early as Wednesday.

''He's made a lot of improvement,'' manager Bruce Bochy said of Panik, who missed the last three games but is available to pinch-hit.

Kelby Tomlinson went 2 for 5 in place of Panik on Monday.

Pagan is expected to miss this series, but Bochy hopes the outfielder will avoid a stint on the disabled list.

A loser in nine of 11, Cincinnati (10-16) placed catcher Devin Mesoraco (shoulder) on the DL before Monday's game and could be minus shortstop Zack Cozart (knee) for a second straight contest.

Cozart is hitting a team-high .347.

''It will be something he'll have to deal with the rest of the year,'' manager Bryan Price said.

The club also learned right-handers Homer Bailey (elbow) and Anthony DeSclafani (oblique) won't throw for a few more days because of setbacks in their minor league rehab stints.

Jon Moscot (0-2, 4.02 ERA) left Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the New York Mets after five innings with soreness in his non-throwing shoulder, but he's expected to make this start.

"We are kind of ruling out anything serious right now," the right-hander told MLB's official website. "Just a little inflammation in there. ... I think I'll be all right."

Moscot has allowed at least three runs in each of his three starts, but only one was earned against the Mets. He's also walked four in two straight outings.

None of Moscot's six career starts have come against the Giants, who counter with Jeff Samardzija (3-1, 3.86).

Despite giving up five runs in 5 2/3 innings of Wednesday's 13-9 victory over San Diego, Samardzija will try to win a third consecutive start. The right-hander is 0-5 with a 4.39 ERA in his last nine starts against the Reds but hasn't faced them since June 2014.

Joey Votto went 0 for 6 with four walks against Samardzija when they last squared off that season. Votto, who clubbed a three-run homer Monday, is 11 for 33 with two homers and eight RBIs in the last 10 games. He went 10 for 58 with one home run and seven RBIs in the first 16.

The Reds' bullpen has allowed at least one run in 20 straight games, tying the 2013 Colorado Rockies for the longest streak since 1900. It's posted a 7.80 ERA and yielded 20 home runs during that span.

''It's hard finding a recipe right now,'' Price said. ''We're bringing up guys who might not be ready. ... We've got to get healthy."