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Reds try to start another winning streak vs. Padres

Aug 1, 2012 - 2:39 PM (Sports Network) - The Cincinnati Reds eye their 12th win in 13 games this evening when they continue a four-game series with the San Diego Padres at Great American Ball Park.

After having its season-high 10-game winning streak stopped on Monday, Cincinnati returned to the win column on Tuesday, as Brandon Phillips' solo homer in the seventh lifted the Reds to a 7-6 victory.

Ryan Ludwick was 2-for-3 with a homer and four RBI and Todd Frazier hit a two- run homer for the Reds, winners in 12 of 15 since Joey Votto went down with a knee injury.

"I don't try to push myself harder, but I think we all knew having (Reds injured first baseman Joey Votto) out of the lineup is a huge loss," Ludwick said. "Everyone is picking each other up, and each night it's some one new."

Ludwick is batting .356 with five homers during those 15 games.

"He's got his swagger back," Reds skipper Dusty Baker said. "He's feeling it. You need somebody hot in the middle of your lineup."

Sean Marshall (4-3) earned the win after tossing a perfect seventh and eighth. Homer Bailey started for the Reds but lasted just 3 2/3 innings. He gave up six runs on nine hits and struck out two.

Aroldis Chapman tossed a perfect ninth to pick up his 22nd save of the season.

Cameron Maybin hit a three-run homer while Alexi Amarista and Will Venable each tripled and knocked in a run for the Padres, who have lost three of four.

Jason Marquis (4-6) was pegged with the loss after giving up all seven runs on eight hits while striking out five, snapping a three-start winning streak.

Getting the call for the Reds tonight will be righty Bronson Arroyo, who has won his last two starts. Arroyo defeated the Colorado Rockies on Friday, limiting them to six hits over six scoreless innings to even his mark at 6-6 on the year to go along with a 3.76 ERA.

Arroyo tossed a three-hit shutout to beat the Padres back on July 6, but is 5-7 lifetime against them with a 4.07 ERA in 14 games.

San Diego, meanwhile, will counter with veteran right-hander Kip Wells, who won for the first time in three starts his last time out. Wells won in Miami on Friday, as he held the Marlins to two runs and five hits in six innings.

Wells, who is 2-3 with a 3.82 ERA, pitched for the Reds in 2009, but is just 2-11 in 22 games (20 starts) against his former team with a 4.95 ERA.

Cincinnati took three of four from the Padres right before the All-Star break.