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May 18, 2010 - 4:20 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Milwaukee (15-22) at Cincinnati (21-16), 12:35 p.m. EDT

Outstanding pitching has spurred Cincinnati's surprising surge to the top the NL Central. The Reds' chances of remaining there depend largely on starters such as Homer Bailey continuing their recent success.

Coming off the best performance of his career, Bailey takes the mound Tuesday as the Reds try to sweep a two-game home set with the struggling Milwaukee Brewers.

A 6-3 win over Milwaukee (15-23) kept Cincinnati (22-16) in first place for a second straight day, one-half game ahead of defending Central champion St. Louis. The Reds, who moved into the top spot by taking two of three from the Cardinals over the weekend, are in that position this late into a season for the first time since 2006.

"It's going to be a battle from here on out," left fielder Jonny Gomes said. "We're wearing the first-place jersey now. We're going to get everybody's best shot."

Cincinnati needed a five-run rally in the seventh inning, capped by Gomes' three-run homer, to earn its eighth victory in nine games.

Sharp performances from starter Johnny Cueto and three relievers made Gomes' heroics possible. Cueto gave up one run in seven innings after tossing a one-hitter in his previous performance, a 9-0 win over Pittsburgh last Tuesday.

Cincinnati has a 2.00 staff ERA over its last nine games.

Bailey (1-2, 5.66 ERA) followed Cueto's gem with a four-hitter as the Reds beat the Pirates 5-0 on Wednesday. The 24-year-old right-hander and onetime top prospect, who entered the game with a 7.24 ERA in six starts, struck out six en route to the first complete game of his career.

Cincinnati became the first team in 10 years to post consecutive shutouts without a walk. Oakland's Tim Hudson and Barry Zito did it in September 2000.

Now, the Reds need Bailey to develop some consistency. The seventh overall pick in the 2004 draft is 0-1 with an 8.41 ERA in four home outings this season despite averaging more than a strikeout per inning.

He has posted a 10.97 ERA while losing each of his two career home starts versus the Brewers.

Milwaukee is averaging 3.3 runs during a season-high seven-game losing streak - its longest since an eight-game skid May 28-June 4, 2006.

Brewers leadoff hitter Rickie Weeks is 3 for 29 (.103) with 10 strikeouts during the losing streak, and slugger Ryan Braun is 3 for 19 (.158) in his last five.

With Manny Parra (0-2, 3.98) set to make his first start of the season, Milwaukee may need a breakout game from its lineup. Parra, who has made 15 relief appearances, moves into the rotation after Doug Davis (pericarditis) was placed on the 15-day DL on Sunday.

Parra struggled in 27 starts last year, going 11-11 with a 6.36 ERA.

"I felt like I was coming in to spring training competing for a (starting) spot," Parra told the Brewers' official website. "I see myself as a starter, but I feel like I can do both. I have a routine as a starter, so it shouldn't be any different this time."

The left-hander is 2-2 with a 4.75 ERA in five starts against the Reds.