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Snell looks to give Pirates bullpen a rest vs. Reds

Apr 12, 2008 - 2:47 PM Cincinnati (6-5) at Pittsburgh (4-6) 7:05 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Coming off their first home win of the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be looking for a strong outing from ace Ian Snell to rest their tired bullpen.

The Pirates, who blanked the Cincinati Reds, 1-0, on Friday, already have played four extra-inning games in their first 10 contests this season.

Jason Bay accounted for the only run Friday with a mammoth solo shot in the sixth inning.Paul Maholm and three relievers combined for a seven-hitter in a contest delayed 90 minutes by rain.

Prior to Friday's win, the Pirates had lost three straight to Chicago, with two of the games lasting a combined 27 innings.

On Monday, the Pirates dropped their home opener, 10-8 in 12 innings. Then on Wednesday, Felix Pie blooped a two-run single to left field to give the Cubs a 6-4 win in 15 innings. Pittsburgh also beat Atlanta, 12-11, in 12 innings on April 1.

Snell (1-0, 3.75) hopes to make this one a lot easier. The righthander allowed two runs and four hits in six innings of a 9-2 victory over Florida on Sunday.

Snell will be opposed by Bronson Arroyo (0-1, 5.91), who has gotten off to a terrible start. Arroyo was pounded for five runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 5-3 loss to Philadelphia on Monday.

Arroyo has allowed seven earned runs in 10 2/3 innings in his first two starts this year.