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Surging Pirates look to keep momentum going

Aug 29, 2007 - 2:30 PM Cincinnati (60-72) at Pittsburgh (59-72) 7:05 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates are slowly but surely working themselves into contention in the National League Central. On Wednesday, they look to continue their winning ways in their on-going four-game series with the Cincinnati Reds.

The Pirates have won 10 of their last 13 games to move to within 8 1/2 games of the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs (67-63). Their doubleheader sweep of the Reds on Tuesday abruptly put an end to Cincinnati's six-game winning streak entering the series.

Ian Snell (8-10, 3.93 ERA) is one pitcher who has not benefited from much of anything the Pirates have done lately, winning only once after July 4. He did not factor into the decision in Friday's 8-3 win over the Houston Astros despite allowing three runs and six hits over seven frames.

The righthander is 2-3 with a 4.38 ERA in six career starts against the Reds.

Opposing him will be Aaron Harang (13-3, 3.68), who has won his last three decisions. In his most recent win on Friday, a 5-3 win over the Florida Marlins, the righthander permitted three runs and eight hits over seven innings.

Despite a 4.32 ERA in 16 lifetime starts against Pittsburgh, the 29-year-old has managed to go 10-3, including a 2-0 record this season.