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Gallardo looks to help Brewers get on track

Jul 24, 2007 - 3:57 PM Milwaukee (55-44) at Cincinnati (42-58) 7:10 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Rookie Yovani Gallardo takes the mound on Tuesday trying to help the struggling Milwaukee Brewers get on track in the second game of a four-game series with the Cincinnati Reds.

Gallardo (2-1, 2.34 ERA), who is making his second start since returning to the rotation, allowed just three hits in six scoreless innings against Arizona on Thursday.

Gallardo was working in the bullpen before ace Ben Sheets went down with a partial tear of the cartilage in his right middle finger on July 14. Gallardo relieved Sheets in that game against Colorado and threw 4 2/3 scoreless frames.

The 21-year-old will try and help the Brewers bounce back from a 2-1 loss in 12 innings on Monday. Javier Valentin hit a pinch-hit single to snap the 1-1 tie after Aaron Harang dominated Milwaukee for 10 innings.

The loss was the third in the last four games for the Brewers, who have seen their lead over the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central shrink to three games.

Rookie Ryan Braun has been on a tear lately, and provided the lone run on Monday by hitting his 16th homer and has a major league-best eight in July.

Meanwhile, Matt Belisle (5-6, 5.13) get the ball for the Reds, who snapped a three-game skid by winning the opener and have won a season-high five straight at home.

Belisle, who is winless in his eight starts, was pounded for five runs - four earned - and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings against Florida on Thursday.