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Diamondbacks-Reds Preview

Sep 15, 2010 - 5:08 AM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

Arizona (57-87) at Cincinnati (82-62), 7:10 p.m. EDT

Despite scuffling a bit, the Cincinnati Reds are still inching closer to their first division title in 15 years.

Following a tough loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the NL Central-leading Reds again try to break out of their offensive funk Wednesday night against Joe Saunders, who is coming off another disappointing outing.

Cincinnati (82-63) had the majors' best record in August at 19-8 but has already matched that loss total this month by going 5-8. The offense is mostly to blame, as the Reds are batting .254 while averaging 3.8 runs.

They entered September with a seven-game division lead and have managed to maintain that advantage thanks to St. Louis' continuing struggles. With the Cardinals losing to the Cubs 7-2 on Tuesday - their 20th defeat in 29 games - Cincinnati's magic number to clinch the Central for the first time since 1995 was cut to 12.

The Reds played like a postseason-bound team in winning Monday's opener against the Diamondbacks 7-2, but they lost 3-1 on Tuesday.

Cincinnati, which outscored Arizona 33-16 in winning the first four meetings this year, was limited to four hits over eight scoreless innings by rookie Daniel Hudson before rallying in the ninth.

Trailing by two with the bases loaded and two outs, Ramon Hernandez drove what appeared to be a bases-clearing hit into right field, but Justin Upton snagged the ball while running full speed and stretching as far as he could.

"That was a Hall-of-Fame play right there," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "I didn't think he had a chance to catch it. That shows the importance of defense right there."

Orlando Cabrera had another solid night at the plate, doubling and getting two of Cincinnati's six hits.

Cabrera has hit safely in all seven games since being activated from the disabled list, batting .367 with four doubles and five runs. He is 9 for 18 with three doubles lifetime against Saunders (2-5, 4.88 ERA).

Saunders was knocked around for seven runs - four earned - and five hits with four walks in a season-worst 2 1-3 innings in a 13-4 loss to Colorado on Friday.

The Diamondbacks, who snapped a four-game skid Tuesday and won for the second time in 10 games, have lost six of Saunders' last seven starts with the left-hander going 1-5 with a 6.18 ERA.

One of the outings in that stretch came against the Reds, and Saunders gave up four runs and eight hits - including homers by Jay Bruce and Hernandez - in six innings of a 9-5 loss Aug. 19.

Cincinnati counters with Homer Bailey (3-3, 4.70), who looks to build on a solid outing.

Bailey was in line to earn his first victory since Aug. 20 on Friday against Pittsburgh after allowing one run and five hits with a career-best nine strikeouts in seven innings, but the bullpen blew it and the Reds went on to win 4-3 in 12.

It was an encouraging performance for the right-hander, who was 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in his previous three starts.

This will be Bailey's first outing against the Diamondbacks (58-87) since July 7, 2007, when he gave up one run in five innings and didn't receive a decision in a 5-4 victory.