• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Pirates-Reds Preview

May 23, 2010 - 11:47 PM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Pittsburgh (18-25) at Cincinnati (25-18), 7:10 p.m. EDT

Recent success at home is one reason why the Cincinnati Reds appear to be a contender in the NL Central. An advantageous schedule at Great American Ball Park this week should only help their cause.

The Reds open a seven-game homestand Monday night looking to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates for the ninth time in 11 meetings.

Cincinnati (25-19) has won nine of 12 at home. That surge, keyed by a .299 batting average and 19 homers, has helped move the Reds within one-half game of Central-leading St. Louis.

They'll visit the Cardinals for a three-game series next week.

Before that, Cincinnati might be in prime position to generate some significant momentum, hosting the Pirates (19-25) for a four-game set before a three-game series against NL-worst Houston, a team it swept April 27-29.

The Reds swept a three-game series at Pittsburgh from May 10-12, outscoring the Pirates 16-1. They've won eight of 10 against them at home.

Cincinnati failed to complete a three-game sweep of Cleveland, falling 4-3 on Sunday despite two homers from Scott Rolen.

A return home could benefit Joey Votto, who went 0 for 3 in the loss. The first baseman is hitting .364 with four homers and 10 RBIs in his last 11 games in Cincinnati.

Votto should be happy to see the Pirates, whom he's hitting .375 against with four homers and 22 RBIs in 35 games.

Aaron Harang (2-5, 6.02 ERA) hopes Votto can continue that production after getting no run support in three of his last four games with three of those outings resulting in Reds losses. The right-hander didn't get any offensive help or a decision Wednesday, allowing four runs and eight hits in six innings of a 5-4 loss at Atlanta.

He won his most recent start against the Pirates on April 12, 2009, throwing a three-hitter while striking out nine in a 2-0 home win.

Cincinnati might be happy to just see Harang remain healthy after its last two starters were pulled early due to injuries. Homer Bailey exited Sunday's defeat in the third inning with tightness in his right shoulder after a blistered finger on Johnny Cueto's right hand forced him out after six innings Saturday.

Bailey will be examined by team doctors Monday, while Cueto is expected to make his next scheduled start in the finale of this series.

The Pirates, 8-13 on the road, are looking to create some momentum of their own after Ryan Doumit connected for a walkoff homer to secure a 3-2 win over visiting Atlanta on Sunday, ending a three-game slide.

"It's just nice to win," said Doumit, who had three hits and two RBIs. "To win feels good. I don't care how it's done."

Brian Burres (2-1, 4.91) will get his first start against the Reds as he tries to improve upon his last start against Milwaukee on Wednesday. The left-hander allowed three runs in six innings and helped himself with an RBI single in the fourth, but didn't get a decision in a 6-4 win.

Burres' only appearance against Cincinnati was a perfect ninth inning of relief as the Pirates were one-hit by Cueto in a 9-0 loss May 11.