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Giants continue trip in Cincinnati

Jul 29, 2011 - 3:26 PM (Sports Network) - The Reds thought they might have caught a break in their last series because of the trade of Carlos Beltran to the Giants.

Turns out that wasn't the case and now Cincinnati must deal with Beltran all over again in the opener of a three-game series with San Francisco at Great American Ball Park.

The Reds were playing host to the Mets at the start of the week as the Beltran trade rumors really picked up steam. They lost the first two games of New York with the outfielder in the opposing lineup, but once a trade to the Giants materialized on Wednesday, Cincinnati did not have to face him in the set's final two games.

It didn't matter as the Reds were outscored 18-11 in losing the final two games and have fallen 6 1/2 games behind first place in the National League Central.

"It's tough to get swept four games in your own park," said Reds manager Dusty Baker following Thursday's 10-9 loss. "They were hitting the ball a ton over there. They didn't miss any balls. They were hitting line drives."

Cincinnati nearly rallied for a win as 10 of its 13 hits went for extra bases. Miguel Cairo belted a pinch-hit, three-run homer and Joey Votto contributed a run-scoring double and solo homer. However, starter Homer Bailey yielded nine runs over just four-plus innings.

Not too far away, Beltran was making his Giants debut in Philadelphia, and though he went hitless in four at-bats, San Francisco still rolled to a 4-1 victory behind six shutout innings from Tim Lincecum.

Lincecum was slated to start Tuesday's opener in a rematch of last season's NLCS, but a stomach ailment pushed back his start. San Francisco lost Tuesday's game, but took the final two games and have won 13 of their last 18. The club holds a four-game lead over Arizona for the top spot in the NL West.

The Giants are hoping the addition of the Beltran will help them land a second straight World Series title, but manager Bruce Bochy isn't putting all the pressure on his new right fielder.

"He looked all right. He's going to get settled in," Bochy said. "It's not going to be one guy carrying us. We're not going to ask him to do that."

The Giants have needed a bat, especially since losing star catcher Buster Posey for the season after a grisly home plate collision tore up his left ankle. Beltran should finally help fill that void.

"I'm willing to do whatever they need me to do," said Beltran, who is batting .286 with 15 homers and 66 runs batted in this season.

Not only do the Reds have to face Beltran again, but they must also deal with All-Star Giants starter Ryan Vogelsong, who hasn't lost since May 26.

The 34-year-old has won two straight starts and five decisions in a row since, though he labored through 104 pitches over just five innings in his last start on Saturday versus the Brewers. Vogelsong kept his club in the game by allowing just to two runs, improving to 8-1 with a 2.10 earned run average this season.

"He keeps grinding out there," Bochy said of his starter. "He doesn't cave in."

Though he is just 2-3 with a 5.57 ERA in his career versus the Reds, the right-handed Vogelsong held them to just two runs over six innings while striking out six in a no-decision on June 10.

Cincinnati, meanwhile, hopes to get another serviceable outing from Dontrelle Willis, who is still looking for his first win since June 5 of last year.

The former NL Rookie of the Year is 0-1 with a 3.71 ERA through three starts of his comeback attempt, making his season and Reds debut on July 10. The 29- year-old Willis lasted 6 1/3 innings on Sunday versus the Braves, giving up three runs in a no-decision.

The southpaw is 1-3 with a 5.00 ERA in eight career starts against the Giants.

These two clubs split a four-game set in San Francisco from June 9-12.