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Reds' Bailey returns for finale with Orioles

Jun 26, 2011 - 2:37 PM (Sports Network) - Homer Bailey returns to the rotation for the Reds today as they play the rubber match of a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

Bailey's been out a month with a sprained right shoulder, but he'll come off the disabled list despite some shaky starts in the minors. During three rehabilitation outings at Triple-A Louisville, the right-hander went 0-1 with a 6.08 ERA, giving up an astounding 23 hits and nine earned runs in 13 1/3 innings pitched. The Reds stretched out his pitch count Tuesday versus Pawtucket, when Bailey received a no-decision in a 6-3 loss. In that game he threw 71 of his 103 pitches for strikes, but left after allowing eight hits and three earned runs over six innings.

"I thought Homer threw well. His velocity was good," Louisville manager Rick Sweet said after the game. "That's what they wanted to see. They wanted to see him over 100 pitches and they wanted to see him maintain his velocity, so he did what they wanted to see."

Bailey was hurt during his fourth-inning plate appearance at Philadelphia on May 26 and has been out of action since that time. This will be his first career appearance against the Orioles.

If the Reds hit the ball like they did last night, Bailey will likely pick up win No. 4. The ball was flying out of Camden Yards on Saturday as reigning National League MVP Joey Votto went 3-for-4 with a pair of long balls and five RBI to power the Reds to a 10-5 win.

Cincinnati hit five of the game's nine home runs. Scott Rolen went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI for the Reds, who have won two of three.

Bronson Arroyo (7-6) earned the win despite giving up five runs on nine hits, including four home runs, in 6 1/3 innings.

Nick Markakis went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and J.J. Hardy added two hits, including a solo home run for the Orioles, who have dropped three of four. Markakis has hit in 15 straight games, longest streak by an Oriole this year.

Brian Matusz (1-3) took the loss after giving up six runs on nine hits over 4 2/3 innings.

Jeremy Guthrie aims to snap a six-start winless stretch when he takes the mound this afternoon for the Orioles. The right-hander is coming off a Tuesday loss at Pittsburgh, when he allowed 11 hits and five earned runs over 6 1/3 innings. His last victory came May 21 against Washington.

Guthrie has never faced the Reds, but he is 5-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 17 interleague starts.

The Reds lead the all-time regular season series, having won three games. The only previous regular season meeting between the clubs was June 10-12, 2005 in Cincinnati.