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Padres hope to snap offensive blues against Reds

Aug 10, 2007 - 1:41 PM San Diego (61-53) at Cincinnati (49-65) 7:10 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Adrian Gonzalez will look to help the San Diego Padres avoid a three-game losing streak when they visit the Cincinnati Reds on Friday in the opener of a three-game series.

Gonzalez has been the bright spot on the Padres' offense, which has struggled to just one run and 11 hits over its last two games. The 25-year-old Gonzalez is on a five-game hitting streak and has batted .266 with 18 homers and 65 RBI on the season.

San Diego absorbed a 5-0 loss in the finale of a four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, mustering just four hits. The latest loss dropped the Padres three games behind in the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West.

Gonzalez, who is looking for his 50th career home run, is hitless in three at-bats in his career against Reds starter Matt Belisle (6-8, 5.26 ERA). The Reds' righthander registered his first win since May 29 in his last start, allowing three runs and nine hits over six innings in a 13-4 triumph over the Pittsburgh Pirates last Friday.

San Diego will counter with Wilfredo Ledezma (3-3, 5.06), who will be making his third appearance with the club. Acquired from the Atlanta Braves at the trade deadline, Ledezma will be making his initial start of the season and first since September 29, 2006 when he was a member of the Detroit Tigers.

The Padres have lost three of their last four contests and the Reds have won four of their last five.