Padres 0 - 4 Reds
Final
  for this game

Reds try to slow down Padres, avoid sweep

Jun 7, 2015 - 2:07 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Yonder Alonso has been on a tear at the plate over his last four games. The Reds hope Johnny Cueto can shut down the Padres first baseman when Cincinnati tries to avoid a three-game sweep at Great American Ball Park.

Alonso hit his second career grand slam in the seventh inning, on the ninth pitch of his at-bat against Tony Cingrani, and Matt Kemp put the Padres in front in the eighth with a two-run single in a 9-7 victory.

Alonso has a four-game hitting streak, during which time he's batted .533 (8- for-15). He is also hitting .460 on the road this season for the Padres, who haven't swept a three-game set at Cincinnati since May 4-6, 2001.

Cueto was scratched from a scheduled start on May 24 at Cleveland due to a sore right elbow, but he returned Tuesday at Philadelphia. He lasted six innings and allowed two runs -- one earned -- on five hits.

In seven career starts against San Diego, Cueto is 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA. Alonso is just 1-for-9 at the plate in his career against Cueto.

Odrisamer Despaigne, who starts for San Diego in the series finale, secured a win in his last start following a personal three-decision losing streak. Padres manager Bud Black decided to give the 28-year-old right-hander an extra day of rest after a spectacular eight-inning effort against the Pirates on May 31. Despaigne allowed one run on seven hits. He has never faced the Reds.

Kemp also smacked a solo homer among his three hits and five RBI and Alonso tallied three hits and four RBI for the Padres, who have won a season-high four straight games.

Brandon Maurer (2-0) tossed a scoreless seventh to record the win and Craig Kimbrel struck out Zack Cozart with runners on the corners in the ninth to notch his 13th save of the season.

Todd Frazier posted three hits and three RBI, Cozart cracked a solo shot and Joey Votto scored a trio of runs for Cincinnati, which has dropped four of its last five contests.

"Those things aren't going to happen too often," Reds manager Bryan Price said of the disappointing loss.

The Padres went 5-1 against the Reds last season and the two clubs are scheduled for three games at Petco Park Aug. 10-12.






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