• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Reds-Indians Preview

Jun 26, 2009 - 5:39 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Cincinnati (34-36) at Cleveland (30-43), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Joey Votto almost single-handedly carried the Cincinnati Reds to a victory in their latest game, a positive sign in his third game back after missing nearly a month.

Given the Cleveland Indians' troubled pitching staff, seeing Votto back in the batter's box has to be a frightening sight.

Votto will try to build upon his four-hit performance when the Reds visit Progressive Field on Friday night for the opener of a three-game set against the Indians, whose struggling stable of arms is quickly dropping them out of the AL Central race.

The Reds (35-36) went 8-13 while Votto was dealing with an extended bout of depression and anxiety. Cincinnati was averaging 4.6 runs before Votto left the team on May 29, but scored just 3.4 per game in the 21 he missed.

Votto came back Tuesday in his hometown of Toronto, but went 1 for 7 as the Reds totaled seven runs in a pair of losses. Cincinnati put up that many alone in Thursday's finale, largely thanks to Votto going 4 for 5 with a homer and three RBIs in a 7-5 victory.

"It was nice feeling good without having to think about the problems I've been having," Votto said. "I felt like (getting a hit Wednesday) was a good step and today was an even better step."

The Reds hit just .217 with Votto out of the lineup, as opposed to .257 before he left the team in late May. They're 10-6 when Votto has at least two hits.

"Everyone knows what he's capable of. Getting four hits anytime is tough," said outfielder Jay Bruce, who's hitting .213. "He's a big part of our lineup and it's good to have him back."

One of Votto's two-hit games came against Cleveland (30-44) last month. Votto had two homers and four RBIs in the Reds' 7-6 loss to the Indians on May 23, only the second time they'd failed to beat Cleveland in the rivalry's past 10 games.

The Indians aren't coming into this series playing any better. They've lost eight of nine in interleague play, yielding 7.4 runs per game. Cleveland's bullpen has been especially porous, blowing three saves while going 0-5 with a 7.91 ERA.

The bullpen again let manager Eric Wedge's club down Thursday in Pittsburgh. Cliff Lee gave up two runs over seven innings, but Matt Herges allowed a run in the ninth as the Pirates escaped with a 3-2 win.

"You've got to make pitches, challenge these hitters and be more aggressive and make plays," Wedge told the Indians' official Web site. "There are a lot of things that have to happen to win a big league ballgame. That's what we're missing."

The bullpen has often had to work extra when Jeremy Sowers (1-5, 5.95 ERA) has been on the mound. The left-hander has lasted six innings just once in seven starts, and he gave up six runs and seven hits over 4 1-3 innings Sunday in a 6-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

Sowers is 0-2 with an 8.55 ERA in four starts against the Reds. Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips is 4 for 10 with two homers and six RBIs versus Sowers.

Aaron Harang (5-7, 3.66) will counter for Cincinnati as he looks for his first win since May 25. He pitched well enough to get one Sunday against the White Sox, giving up three runs and striking out seven over seven innings, but lost 4-1.

Harang may have better luck in this matchup - he's 3-1 with a 2.24 ERA in eight starts against Cleveland. Catcher Victor Martinez is hitting .133 (2 for 15) versus Harang.