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Clinging to division lead, Brewers face Reds

Jul 26, 2007 - 1:26 PM Milwaukee (56-45) at Cincinnati (43-59), 12:35 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) - With their National League Central lead dwindling, the Milwaukee Brewers can't afford to lose many more games to teams like the Cincinnati Reds.

The teams conclude a four-game series on Thursday, with the Reds having won two-of-three thus far.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs won on Wednesday and have pulled to within two games of the Brewers. Milwaukee's lead has not been this slim since April 22 when it was 11-7 and owned a 1 1/2-game lead over the Houston Astros.

The Brewers will start Dave Bush (8-8, 4.83 ERA), who has not pitched well at Great American Ballpark. In three starts here, the righthander is 0-1 and has been shelled for 17 runs in 12 innings - a 12.75 ERA.

Making his first start at home this season, Bobby Livingston (2-1, 3.52) will take the mound for the Reds. The 24-year-old lefthander will be making his fifth career start.

Jeff Keppinger had a three-run double during a four-run third inning to lead the Reds to a 7-3 victory over the Brewers on Wednesday.

Adam Dunn went 3-for-3 and Norris Hopper and Scott Hatteberg added RBI doubles in the eighth as the Reds won for the sixth time in their last seven home games.

Two Reds players left the game - David Ross dislocated the pinky finger on his right hand and Pedro Lopez was hit in the mouth by a pitch. Their status for Thursday is uncertain.