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Reds-Cubs Preview

Sep 13, 2009 - 1:13 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Cincinnati (63-78) at Chicago (72-67), 2:20 p.m. EDT

During Ted Lilly's stint on the disabled list, the Chicago Cubs' playoff hopes were greatly diminished. Even though he's pitched well since returning, it hasn't been enough to get them back in the postseason hunt.

Lilly looks to win his third consecutive start Sunday but also tries to avoid losing his sixth straight to the Reds when the clubs close their three-game series.

Chicago (72-68) was a half-game behind St. Louis for the NL Central lead on July 25 when Lilly (11-8, 3.17 ERA) was placed on the disabled list with left shoulder inflammation. In the four weeks he missed, the Cubs fell six games behind the Cardinals.

That deficit is now up to 10 1/2, and they aren't much closer in the wild-card race.

Their playoff hopes are all but over even though Lilly has been outstanding since returning with a 1.62 ERA in five outings - all quality starts. He's received just seven runs of support in that span but Chicago has won three of those games.

The left-hander won his second straight start Monday, giving up two runs and two hits while striking out seven in six innings of a 4-2 win over Pittsburgh on Monday.

Lilly was very good in his lone start against the Reds (64-78) this season, giving up an unearned run in seven innings, but that 3-0 loss April 22 was the fifth straight start he's lost to Cincinnati. He's 0-6 in nine outings versus the Reds since winning his first career start against them April 4, 2007.

Chicago will try to bounce back after its four-game winning streak ended with a 7-5 loss Saturday. The game was tied in the ninth when Cubs closer Carlos Marmol walked two batters before giving up a two-run double to pinch-hitter Drew Sutton.

"I don't know," Marmol said of his control issues, having walked 61 batters in 67 2-3 innings this year.

"You got to try to get three outs no matter what the situation is. ... I had a bad day today."

Aramis Ramirez had one of three Chicago errors in the third, leading to two Cincinnati runs, and was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first on Geovany Soto's bases-loaded double in the seventh that tied the game.

"They helped us early. It was a sloppy game early and that's uncharacteristic of the Cubs because usually their defense, especially their infield defense, is pretty good," Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

Baker's team improved to 5-9 against the Cubs this year and ended a four-game losing streak at Wrigley Field. The Reds also snapped a five-game overall losing streak.

They may have a good shot at back-to-back wins considering Homer Bailey (5-4, 5.60) is taking the mound. He's 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA in his last four outings.

The right-hander gave up one run in 5 2-3 innings to Colorado on Monday, leaving with the lead, but the Reds went on to lose 4-3.

Bailey won his only start against the Cubs, giving up four runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings of an 8-4 victory Sept. 30, 2007. He also opposed Lilly in that game.