• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Reds in search of seventh straight victory

Aug 28, 2007 - 12:58 PM Cincinnati (60-70) at Pittsburgh (57-72) 5:05 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) - Playing their best baseball they have played this season, the Cincinnati Reds go for a seventh straight win when they begin a four-game set with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday.

During their season-best six-game winning streak, the Reds have averaged nearly eight runs per game in taking three of four from Atlanta and sweeping the Florida in a three-game series. The winning streak has helped Cincinnati move within 6 1/2 games of the first-place Chicago Cubs (66-63) in the National League Central.

The Reds will hand the ball to Elizardo Ramirez (0-1, 6.35 ERA), who is searching for his first win since July 27, 2006. He surrendered five runs and five hits over 4 1/3 innings on Thursday against Atlanta while not factoring in the decision.

In two lifetime appearances - one start - against Pittsburgh, the righthander is 0-1 with a 17.18 ERA, allowing seven runs over just 3 2/3 innings.

The Pirates will counter with Tom Gorzelanny (12-7, 3.40), who has won three of his last four turns. He kept Colorado in check over six frames on Wednesday in a 11-2 win, yielding two runs - one earned - and six hits with five strikeouts.

In his only other career start against the Reds earlier in the season, the lefthander allowed five runs and eight hits over six innings in an 8-1 defeat on April 28.