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Reds-Phillies Preview

Jul 9, 2009 - 4:36 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Cincinnati (41-41) at Philadelphia (43-38), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Philadelphia Phillies look like they're finally starting to reverse their struggles at Citizens Bank Park. Their best hitter at home has been the one leading the way.

Shane Victorino's late push for an All-Star spot has been legitimized by an outstanding homestand, and he'll look to follow his walk-off hit by leading the Phillies to their third win in four games against the Cincinnati Reds as the teams conclude their series Thursday night.

Fan voting for the NL's final All-Star spot will end shortly before Philadelphia (44-38) takes the field, but Victorino has strengthened his resume over the past week. The center fielder is hitting .464 (13 for 28) with a homer, six RBIs and nine runs scored in the first six games of the Phillies' 10-game homestand.

His latest hit was also one of his biggest. With two on and two out in the bottom of the ninth of a tie game Wednesday, Victorino singled in Pedro Feliz to give Philadelphia a 3-2 win.

"I guess the Flyin' Hawaiian wants to go to the All-Star game," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who will lead the NL squad Tuesday in St. Louis. "Let's see if he can play like that every night. Nah, he got a big hit. Shane's a tremendous player. He has a lot of talent, a lot of ability. He has good numbers."

That hit lifted Victorino's home average to a team-best .327, while giving the Phillies their fifth home win in six games to follow a 1-8 stretch there.

Victorino hasn't fared so well against Micah Owings, who will get the ball for Cincinnati (41-42) and look to win his third straight start. Victorino is 1 for 11 (.091) with three strikeouts versus the right-hander.

All-Star second baseman Chase Utley, however, is 5 for 10 with a homer against Owings.

Owings (6-8, 4.48 ERA), though, has fared well in his last two outings. He limited Cleveland to a run over six innings in a win on June 28, then gave up two runs and six hits over 6 2-3 innings Saturday in a 5-2 victory against St. Louis.

Owings also hit his third homer of the season in the win over the Cardinals.

"I just feel like I'm taking the same approach every game," Owings said. "I come in here, get ready between starts and focus on each pitch - and I know the guys behind me will help."

Owings gave up five runs and six hits over three innings May 21 against the Phillies in a 12-5 loss.

Philadelphia's Jamie Moyer (7-6, 5.72) will try to win four straight starts for the first time since May 16-June 1, 2008.

The 46-year-old left-hander allowed a run and five hits over 6 1-3 innings Saturday in a 4-1 win over the New York Mets.

"I really haven't figured anything out," said Moyer, who was 1-5 with a 6.80 ERA over nine starts prior to his current run. "It's a puzzle. I'm trying to piece it together and get good results."

Moyer gave up three runs and nine hits over six innings in a 5-1 loss at Cincinnati on May 20.

Moyer will get his first look at Joey Votto on Thursday. Votto missed Moyer's first start with an inner-ear infection, but this time the Reds first baseman will be trying to extend his career-high 11-game hitting streak.

Votto is batting .371 with 18 RBIs in 70 at-bats against left-handers.