Reds 7 - 3 Giants
Final/11
  for this game

Giants try to solve surprising Simon

Jun 28, 2014 - 2:28 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Alfredo Simon tries to become the National League's first 11-game winner on Saturday when the Cincinnati Reds continue their four- game series with the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park.

Simon has been perhaps the biggest surprise in the league this season, going 10-3 with a 2.92 ERA. He didn't get a decision his last time out against equally impressive Jeff Samardzija and the Chicago Cubs, but again pitched well, as he surrendered just an earned run and five hits over seven innings.

"I'm fascinated by it as well," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Not that I don't think he has have the ability to do it, it's just this guy -- really from a guy that had 19 Major League starts before this season -- to do what he's done this year is spectacular, and he did it again tonight."

Simon, who won a career-high six games a year ago, has won six of his last seven decisions.

San Francisco, meanwhile, will counter with righty Matt Cain, who is 1-6 with a 4.82 ERA. Cain struggled again on Monday against San Diego, as he lost his third straight start and was banged around for six runs in 7 1/3 innings. He had given up 11 earned runs over 10 innings in his previous two starts.

"My biggest thing is I haven't done the job I need to do to give my team a chance to win," he said.

Cain has faced the Reds 10 times and is 4-5 with a 3.54 against them.

Cincinnati continued to roll on Friday, as Johnny Cueto fired 8 1/3 innings of two-run ball in the Reds' 6-2 triumph

Cueto (8-5) allowed three hits and walked just two, while Billy Hamilton posted three hits, two RBI and a run scored for the Reds, who have won six of their last seven games.

"When he's sharp, he's fun to watch," Price said of Cueto.

Aroldis Chapman recorded the final two outs in the ninth to notch his 16th save of the season.

Madison Bumgarner (9-5) yielded five runs on nine hits and a walk over six frames for San Francisco, which has dropped 13 of its last 17 games.

"It was a frustrating time, trying to minimize damage ... it was hit after hit," Bumgarner said.

The Giants won two of the three meetings earlier this month. Cincinnati has beaten the Giants in the season series each year from 2011-2013.






Related News