Rays 1 - 0 Reds
Final
  for this game

Rays send Cobb to the hill in Cincinnati

Apr 12, 2014 - 1:39 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Alex Cobb, who entered this season as Tampa Bay's No. 2 starter, has yet to win in his first two starts of 2014, but the 26-year-old right-hander is coming off a strong outing against Texas.

Cobb will take the mound Saturday for the Rays as they continue their weekend set in Cincinnati.

On Sunday, Cobb allowed three hits in seven scoreless frames, but the Rays lost, 3-0 to the Rangers, and he didn't get a decision. Cobb has thrived when facing the National League, as he's 4-1 with a 3.52 ERA in six career interleague starts. He faces an NL Central team for the first time in his career.

Alfredo Simon, who takes the mound this afternoon for the Reds, makes his second start of the year. The righty gave up one run on four hits while striking out six in a 2-1 road win over the Mets Sunday. It was his first start since September 2011 when he was with the Baltimore Orioles.

Simon is 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA in eight career games (3 starts) when facing the Rays.

In Friday's opener, David Price tossed a gem as the Rays survived a ninth- inning rally for a 2-1 win.

Price (2-0) kept the Reds off the board until Joey Votto hit an opposite-field home run to left with one out in the ninth.

The blast ended Price's outing at 114 pitches and brought in closer Grant Balfour, who made things interesting by walking the bases loaded with two outs before getting pinch-hitter Brayan Pena looking at strike three to end the game.

Price allowed four hits, walked one and struck out 10 in just the Rays' second win in 10 all-time meetings against Cincinnati. Balfour earned his third save.

"I never had a doubt. Balfour is really good, we got him for a reason," Price said.

Reds starter Johnny Cueto (0-2) gave up two runs on five hits, walked four and fanned six in seven innings.

"Got another great start from Johnny. It's unfortunate that we haven't been able to win those games. He's given us three chances to win," said Cincinnati manager Bryan Price.






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