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Pirates, Reds look to turn things around in series opener

May 25, 2007 - 2:08 PM Pittsburgh (19-27) at Cincinnati (18-30) 7:10 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- A pair of struggling teams meet in the opener of a three-game series as the Pittsburgh Pirates visit the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.

The Pirates were swept in a three-game set at St. Louis - scoring only eight runs - and have lost seven out of nine overall. The Reds lost three of four at home to the Nationals and have dropped 17 of their last 22 contests.

Cincinnati owns the National League's worst record.

To turn things around, the Reds will turn to ace Aaron Harang (5-2, 4.78 ERA), who struggled in his first start since coming off the bereavement list on Sunday - a 5-3 loss at Cleveland on Sunday - when he allowed five earned runs and nine hits in five innings.

Harang is 2-0 with a 6.59 ERA against Pittsburgh this season. The righthander is 10-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 15 starts against the Pirates.

Pittsburgh counters with Paul Maholm (2-6, 5.82), who surrendered four earned runs and eight hits over five frames against Arizona. In 22 innings pitched in the month of May, the lefthander is 1-3 with a 6.55 ERA, the same totals he has posted on the road this season.

Maholm is 2-3 with a 5.51 ERA in eight career starts against the Reds.