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Pirates try to break the brooms out on Reds

Jul 20, 2011 - 2:34 PM (Sports Network) - The Pirates are in the rare position of being able to hold the Reds without run over their three-game series. Today's starter, Jeff Karstens, just happens to be coming off his first shutout of the season.

First-place Pittsburgh will try to put together an emphatic sweep of Cincinnati this afternoon at PNC Park and secure a seventh straight victory over its National League Central rivals.

Though the Pirates have managed just three runs in this series, the Reds have yet to cross the plate and are now just 6-for-43 with runners in scoring position since the All-Star break.

After four relievers combined to hold Cincinnati to three hits in a 2-0 victory on Monday, James McDonald, Joe Beimel, Chris Resop and Joel Hanrahan limited the Reds to six hits in a 1-0 victory.

"We're just very confident," Beimel said. "We always think we're going to get the job done."

McDonald gave up four hits and three walks over 6 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts. He was lifted with the bases loaded, but Beimel and Resop got Pittsburgh out of the jam.

"The bullpen has been the unsung hero for the team this year," McDonald said. "They come in in a lot of big situations and get the job done."

Hanrahan picked up his 28th save of the season and Josh Harrison scored the game's lone run in the first inning on an Andrew McCutchen groundout as the Pirates won for the ninth time in 12 games. They lead the Reds by five games for first place in the division and have won seven of eight over Cincinnati this season, including three shutouts.

While Pittsburgh moved a season-high seven games over .500, the Reds lost for the sixth time in nine games and sit a season-worst three games under the even mark.

"I don't know if they're pressing or not, they're just not getting it done," Reds manager Dusty Baker said of his offense. "We're missing pitches, and that's what happens."

The Reds wasted a solid outing by Mike Leake, who gave up the one run on two hits and a pair of walks.

Karstens will try to pitch the Pirates to the sweep today and brings a career- high five decision winning streak into this meeting. He has won each of his last four starts and hasn't lost since May 29.

The right-hander has allowed one run or less in six of his past eight starts, including Friday in Houston. Karstens needed just 83 pitches to hurl a five- hit shutout, his first of the season and second of his career. He improved to 8-4 with a 2.34 earned run average in 20 games this season.

The 28-year-old has never beaten the Reds, going 0-4 with a 6.82 ERA in eight games, including five starts. Karstens struggled mightily at Cincinnati on April 17, giving up five runs on eight hits over just 4 1/3 innings. He did escape with a no-decision despite giving up homers to Miguel Cairo and Jonny Gomes.

The Reds counter with Johnny Cueto, who is 0-1 over his past four starts since a victory on June 22. He opened up his second half on Friday with an outing versus the Cardinals, yielding three runs -- two earned -- on five hits over seven innings.

Despite a 10th straight quality start, Cueto got a no-decision and is 5-3 with a 2.01 ERA in 13 starts this season.

The 25-year-old righty is an excellent 9-3 with a 2.79 ERA in 14 career starts versus the Pirates, but did lose to them on May 19 after yielding three runs over five innings. The setback snapped a seven-decision win streak over Pittsburgh.