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Braves attempt to figure out Reds

Aug 23, 2007 - 2:50 PM Atlanta (66-61) at Cincinnati (56-70) 7:10 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- So far, the Cincinnati Reds have caused some major problems for the playoff hopes of the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves will attempt to salvage a split of their four-game series with the Reds in the finale on Thursday.

After winning the first game of the set on Monday, the Braves have dropped the last two contests at the Great American Ballpark, and are just 1-5 against the Reds this season.

Brian McCann has homered in each of the three games thus far, but the Reds bullpen has pitched eight scoreless innings in their last two victories.

With the two losses to the Reds, the Braves have dropped to third place in the National League East, six games behind the first-place New York Mets (71-54). They are also two games back in the NL wild card behind the San Diego Padres (67-58).

Buddy Carlyle (7-5, 4.66 ERA) will start for the Braves, as he will try and stop his personal two-game losing streak. The 29-year-old righthander has given up 12 runs in his last two starts, lasting just 9 1/3 innings.

Cincinnati will counter by sending 24-year-old Elizardo Ramirez (0-1, 3.86) to the mound. The righthander made his first start of the season on Saturday, losing to the Milwaukee Brewers while giving up three runs and five hits in five innings.