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Volquez seeks to continue strong start

May 7, 2008 - 12:08 PM Chicago Cubs (19-14) at Cincinnati (13-21) 12:35 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) - Edinson Volquez looks to continue his blazing start when the Cincinnati Reds host the final game of a three-game set with the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

After going 3-11 with a 7.20 ERA in three non-descript seasons with Texas, Volquez (4-1, 1.27 ERA) has been a rock for Cincinnati.

Even in his first loss of the season on Friday, the righthander was excellent, striking out nine and yielding two runs - one earned - and four hits over six innings.

Acquired in the offseason trade that sent Josh Hamilton to the Rangers, Volquez has allowed one earned run or less in each of his six starts and struck out at least seven batters in all but one outing.

He'll try to stymie and offense that has fallen off considerably since averaging 6.3 runs during their 15-6 start. Excluding their 19-run outburst last Wednesday vs. Milwaukee, Chicago has averaged less than four runs per game over its other 11 games.

After optioning lefthander Rich Hill to Class AAA Iowa on Saturday, the Cubs turn to Jon Lieber (2-1, 1.86 ERA).

Entering this season, the veteran righthander had made 326 starts vs. 49 relief appearances in his 14-year career. All nine of his previous appearances this season have been in relief.

Lieber's last relief appearance came in Friday's 5-3, 11-inning loss to St. Louis when he tossed 3 2/3 scoreless frames. He has an 11-8 career record with a 4.04 ERA in 26 starts and two relief appearances against the Reds.