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Reds-Marlins Preview

Apr 13, 2010 - 6:01 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Cincinnati (3-3) at Florida (4-2), 7:10 p.m. EDT

Jorge Cantu is off to a superb start to 2010. The Florida Marlins, however, haven't capitalized on his success.

Cantu looks to extend a pair of offensive streaks Tuesday night when the Marlins try to rebound from another series-opening defeat as they face the Cincinnati Reds.

Cantu is 9 for 28 with five doubles, two homers and 12 RBIs while getting a hit and driving in a run in each of the season's first seven games - the longest such streak in the NL since 2005.

The Marlins (4-3), though, have struggled to take advantage of the third baseman's impressive start, losing the first game of each of the three series to begin 2010. They've rallied for two wins in each of the previous two series, but will need a third to take this four-game set with the Reds (4-3).

Cantu had two hits, including a two-run double, but Florida fell 6-5 in 10 innings to Cincinnati in Monday's series opener, failing to complete a third consecutive comeback win.

"We can't play catch-up baseball every night," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "You can't have those types of games every night."

Nate Robertson (1-0, 1.80) will try to get the Marlins off to a stronger start with another solid outing. The left-hander allowed one run and six hits in five innings of a 3-1 road win against the New York Mets on Thursday.

"I was able to throw all my pitches for strikes. I needed to do it a little bit earlier in the count," said Robertson, who was acquired in a trade from Detroit on March 30.

Robertson, who started his career with the Marlins in 2002, is trying to re-establish himself as a reliable starter after various injuries limited him to 28 games - six starts - with the Tigers last year.

He failed to get a decision in his lone start against the Reds in 2006, scattering three hits in 7 1-3 innings while striking out seven in Detroit's 1-0 win.

The Reds are looking to win for the fifth time in six games after opening 0-2.

Scott Rolen came up big Monday with two solo homers and the go-ahead RBI single in the 10th. The third baseman hit .305 with 11 homers and 67 RBIs in 128 games with Cincinnati and Toronto last year.

"The ball carried for me all night," said Rolen, who is hitting .318 with three homers and four RBIs in six games. "All of a sudden I'm having a good year."

Bronson Arroyo (0-0, 1.13 ERA) might appreciate some offensive support in his second start of the season. Cincinnati only gave him four hits Thursday when the right-hander didn't factor in the decision of a 2-1 win over St. Louis despite allowing one run and four hits in eight innings.

That's also been the theme of his four starts against Florida since joining Cincinnati prior to 2007. He's 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA in those outings, while getting 10 total runs of help.