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Reds take aim at ninth consecutive win in Colorado

Jul 28, 2012 - 1:02 PM (Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Reds try to extend their winning streak to nine games tonight when they continue a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

Cincinnati won for the for the 12th time in 14 games since the All-Star break in Friday's opener, as Bronson Arroyo and the Cincinnati bullpen shut down the Rockies in a 3-0 victory.

Ryan Ludwick went 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and another driven in, while Arroyo (6-6) scattered six hits in 6 2/3 scoreless innings, as Cincinnati has reeled off eight consecutive wins for the first time since 2006.

The Reds haven't had a nine-game run since taking 10 straight from June 21- July 1, 1999.

"Things are kind of going our way right now," Arroyo said.

The Rockies fell for the seventh time in nine games, as Drew Pomeranz (1-6) was touched for three runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings to take the loss.

Johnny Cueto has been a big reason behind the Reds' recent success and tonight will try for his fourth straight win. Cueto won for the seventh time in nine starts on Sunday against Milwaukee, as he held the Brewers to one run over seven innings. He also struck out nine and ran his record to 12-5 on the year to go along with a 2.23 ERA.

It was the 13th time in 20 starts that Cueto has lasted at least seven innings this season, and the 11th time he has allowed one earned run or less in a start.

"The first inning was a lot of pitches, and I was trying to throw as (few) as possible as I could," Cueto said through his translator. "I felt really aggressive through every single pitch I threw today. I always want to throw at least seven or eight innings, and thank God I did it today."

Cueto lost to the Rockies earlier in the year and is just 1-2 in four starts against them with a 3.48 ERA.

Colorado, meanwhile, will counter with lefty Christian Friedrich, who is 5-7 with a 5.71 ERA. Friedrich did not get a decision on Sunday in San Diego, but pitched well, surrendering two runs and three hits in five innings of a 3-2 loss.

"Deep counts definitely hurt me," Friedrich said. "I got a lot of 2-1 outs and 3-1 outs, which usually don't happen, and that saved me in a lot of ways."

Friedrich beat Cueto and the Reds earlier in the year.

Cincinnati took two of three from the Rockies at Great American Ball Park earlier in the year.