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Reds-Pirates Preview

May 11, 2010 - 3:31 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Cincinnati (16-15) at Pittsburgh (14-17), 7:05 p.m. EDT

The Cincinnati Reds got excellent starting pitching in their series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Johnny Cueto's recent improvement has them hopeful for an encore.

His history against the Pirates suggests that shouldn't be a problem.

Six of Cueto's 21 career victories have come at Pittsburgh's expense. He'll look to increase that total Tuesday night at PNC Park as the Reds try for their fourth straight win.

Cincinnati's rotation went 1-7 with a 6.55 ERA through the team's first 18 games, getting only five quality starts while falling into the NL Central cellar.

The Reds (17-15) are now climbing the division standings now thanks to those same once-struggling starters. Cincinnati has received 10 quality starts in its last 14 games, with the rotation going 7-2 with a 3.83 ERA.

Bronson Arroyo gave up one run over seven innings Monday in a 2-1 win at Pittsburgh, lifting the Reds to 10-4 since April 25 and within three games of first-place St. Louis.

"If your pitcher's going out there and is pitching (a lot of) innings and keeps the ball down, you get results," second baseman Brandon Phillips said.

Cueto (1-1, 5.18 ERA) has had trouble lasting deep into games, but made it six innings - allowing three runs - while throwing a season-high 118 pitches Wednesday in a 5-4, 10-inning loss to the Mets. He survived a 36-pitch third inning that manager Dusty Baker hopes will prove a learning experience.

"When you get in trouble, that's when you back off and slow down," Baker told the Reds' official website. "It's one thing he's getting better at but has to learn. ... Instead of him going six, he could have gone seven or eight."

Cueto hasn't had too much trouble slowing down the Pirates (14-18). He's 6-2 with a 3.88 ERA in nine starts versus Pittsburgh, and has won four straight decisions.

The right-hander labored through five innings at PNC Park on April 17, however, walking four and allowing three runs before leaving without a decision in Pittsburgh's 5-4 win.

He'll need to be particularly careful against Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones. McCutchen is 5 for 11 with two homers against Cueto, while Jones is 5 for 10 with two doubles.

The Pirates could need plenty of offensive support with Charlie Morton (1-5, 10.30) on the hill, though Morton bounced back in his last start after a dreadful April. He had a 12.57 ERA in five April starts, but held the Cubs to two runs and five hits over six innings Wednesday in a 4-2 win.

"I wasn't trusting myself and just letting the ball go," Morton told the Pirates' official website. "The monkey's off my back in the sense that I realize now that I can simplify my approach and get good results."

Morton was 1-2 with a 5.89 ERA in three starts against the Reds last season.

While Joey Votto is 1 for 6 against Morton, the right-hander will still want to be wary of Cincinnati's first baseman. Votto is batting .371 with three homers and eight RBIs in May, and is hitting .421 in 16 career games at PNC Park.