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Reds-Rockies Preview

Sep 9, 2009 - 5:55 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Cincinnati (63-74) at Colorado (78-60), 8:40 p.m. EDT

Even when short-handed, the Colorado Rockies are finding ways to win.

With two of their better hitters likely to be out of the lineup once again, the Rockies try for a sixth straight victory as they continue a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night at Coors Field.

While infielders Troy Tulowitzki and Ian Stewart were on the bench with back ailments, rookie second baseman Eric Young Jr. had two hits including his first career homer to help Colorado (79-60) to a 3-1 win Tuesday.

The Rockies have a three-game lead in the wild-card race over San Francisco, where they'll open a three-game set Monday.

Tulowitzki, who's hitting .281, strained his back in Monday's 4-3 win over the Reds and manager Jim Tracy isn't going to rush the shortstop back before he's ready.

"When you talk about the low back and think about all the different things that a baseball player is involved in during the course of a game, he's got to be right" said Tracy, whose team is 24-10 against the NL Central. "His mobility, it's not even good enough to think about or talk about him being utilized. We've got to get the spasms to let go. That's what we're working on."

Stewart, who's homered in four of his last five contests, appears to be day-to-day with back stiffness.

Contributions from players like Young and veteran catcher Yorvit Torrealba continue to help as Colorado tries to remain on pace for its second postseason berth in three seasons.

"That's why they put me at the top of the lineup, to get something going and hopefully ignite the rest of the lineup," said Young, batting .308 in 11 games since being recalled from the minors last month.

Torrealba is batting .373 with eight RBIs during a career high 16-game hitting streak.

After Jason Marquis tossed 7 1-3 strong innings Tuesday, Colorado turns to Jason Hammel (8-7, 4.41 ERA) to try and extend the winning streak.

Hammel, who has not received a decision in his last three starts, gave up four runs while striking out six in six innings of a 5-4 win over Arizona on Friday.

While Hammel is 6-4 with a 3.08 ERA in 13 road starts, he's 2-3 with a 6.27 ERA in 12 outings at Coors Field. The right-hander has never faced Cincinnati.

Bronson Arroyo (12-12, 4.23) takes the ball for the Reds (63-75), who look to avoid a third straight loss after winning a season-high seven in a row coming into this series.

The right-hander is 2-1 with a 1.17 ERA in his last five starts, and put together another solid performance by allowing one run in seven innings to earn the victory in a 3-1 win at Atlanta on Friday.

"After pitching well several games in a row and not getting the win, to finally get over the hump and get a win feels really good," Arroyo said.

Arroyo is 1-2 with a 4.20 ERA in five starts against Colorado. He allowed three runs in seven innings of a 6-4, 11-inning home loss to the Rockies on Aug. 2.

Joey Votto went 0 for 3 but drove in the lone run Tuesday for the Reds, who had four hits. The first baseman is 3 for 31 with 10 strikeouts in his last nine games, dropping his average below .300 for the first time at any point this season.