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Reds-Brewers Preview

Jul 27, 2010 - 3:58 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Cincinnati (55-45) at Milwaukee (47-53), 8:10 p.m. EDT

The Milwaukee Brewers are far from contention, but they are playing like they want to make the NL Central race a three-team affair.

They'll try for their first eight-game home win streak at Miller Park and a season-high sixth straight win overall when they continue a three-game series Tuesday night against the second-place Cincinnati Reds.

Cincinnati (55-46) missed a chance to move into a tie atop the division with St. Louis after losing 3-2 to Milwaukee (48-53) on Monday. The Reds had won the last six meetings with the Brewers, including both this year.

Milwaukee is eight games out of first place, and has 11 games left against Cincinnati. The Brewers know they need to make a move soon, and have a favorable stretch with four straight series against losing opponents upcoming after this one.

The last eight-game home win streak for the Brewers was July 2-19, 1995, at County Stadium.

Rickie Weeks hit a two-run homer in Monday's win. Weeks has six homers in his last nine games, and the Brewers have hit at least one in 15 straight.

"Rickie continues to be amazing," manager Ken Macha said. "We haven't seen too many balls hit that far here."

All-Star right fielder Corey Hart will likely miss his fourth straight game for Milwaukee with a sore right thumb. Hart hasn't been able to grip a bat since suffering the injury Friday against Washington.

The Brewers will turn to ace Yovani Gallardo (9-4, 2.45 ERA), who will make his second start since being activated off the disabled list with a left oblique strain. Gallardo was sharp Thursday as he allowed five hits over six scoreless innings in a 3-2 victory over Pittsburgh in his first action since July 4.

"I was trying to stay on the rhythm I had before the All-Star break," he said. "It had been a couple weeks, and I was able to do that tonight."

The right-hander allowed a season-high six walks and one run over six innings May 17 and did not get a decision in a 6-3 loss at Cincinnati. He's 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA in six career starts against the Reds.

Edinson Volquez (1-1, 7.56) will make his third start this year - and first on the road - since returning from elbow surgery. He made his season debut a success by giving up one run over six innings and striking out nine in an 8-1 rout of Colorado on June 22.

The right-hander 's next outing was quite different. Volquez lasted 2 1-3 innings last Thursday and yielded six runs and four walks in a 7-1 loss to Washington.

"I felt good," Volquez said. "I just couldn't find the strike zone, and they got some good swings on me. The only thing I can do is be ready for my next start."

Volquez is 2-1 with a 6.35 ERA in four outings against Milwaukee. Left fielder Ryan Braun is 5 for 10 against him, while Prince Fielder is 2 for 11.

The Reds have lost six of eight on the road, but received a boost with the return of cleanup hitter Scott Rolen. The All-Star third baseman missed nine games with a strained right hamstring before he went 0 for 3 on Monday.