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Harang tries to avoid fourth straight loss

Jun 9, 2015 - 2:11 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Aaron Harang tries to avoid a fourth straight losing start on Tuesday night when the Philadelphia Phillies resume a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds.

Harang had allowed just four runs total in back-to-back setbacks ahead of Thursday's meeting with Cincinnati. However, the Reds got to him for six runs -- five earned -- on six hits and five walks over 5 2/3 innings. Harang struck out just one as he allowed more than two earned runs for the first time in seven starts.

"I missed a couple of pitches ... My control wasn't as pinpoint as it had been," said Harang.

The 37-year-old righty is 4-6 on the year with a 2.45 earned run average, having not won since May 14. He also fell to 3-2 lifetime against his former Reds club with a 3.75 ERA in six meetings.

Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani picked up a second straight winning start last week against Harang and the Phillies, and looks to beat them in tonight's rematch.

DeSclafani was on the winning side of the 6-4 decision, charged with four runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings on Thursday. He didn't strike out a batter, but still improved to 4-4 on the year with a 3.60 ERA

The 25-year-old is 2-1 lifetime against the Phillies with a 6.39 ERA over three games, including two starts.

The Reds won last night's series opener 6-4 as Ivan De Jesus Jr. hit his first career homer, a two-run shot in the sixth inning, and Zack Cozart added three hits, including a solo homer, with two RBI and two runs scored.

"It was really special, the first home run of my career in the big leagues," De Jesus said of his memorable blast. "I was telling the guys, thank God I got my first home run (ball), because I don't have my first base hit."

Todd Frazier had three hits and drove in a run, while Mike Leake allowed three runs -- two earned -- on 10 hits over six innings in Cincinnati's second straight win.

Carlos Ruiz drove in two runs and scored for the Phillies, who have lost four of five.

Cole Hamels lost to the Reds for the first time in his career. The left-hander allowed five runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and two walks over six innings.

"I made some good pitches," Hamels told his club's website. "I hung a few pitches here and there. It's Major League Baseball. You're not going to have the best luck all the time. You have to battle. We were able to score a few runs. I just wasn't able to hold them down."

The 31-year-old Hamels entered Monday's game with a 9-0 record in 13 regular- season starts against Cincinnati. He also tossed a shutout against the Reds in Game 3 of the 2010 NLCS.

Philadelphia took two of three from the Reds last week.