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Cueto, Reds look to rebound against Pirates

May 26, 2008 - 5:26 PM Pittsburgh (24-26) at Cincinnati (23-28) 7pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The Cincinnati Reds hope to get back into the win column Tuesday when they open a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Reds have lost five of their last seven games since a season-high six-game winning streak, and are coming off a 12-9, 18-inning setback at San Diego on Sunday. Cincinnati used three of its starting pitchers in the contest, which tied the third-longest game in franchise history.

Rookie Johnny Cueto (2-5, 5.56 ERA) hopes to get the Reds back on track when he takes the mound. The 22-year-old righthander has lost his last two decisions and gave up four runs - two earned - over five innings in last Wednesday's 5-2 setback at Los Angeles.

In his only career start against Pittsburgh, Cueto was charged with five runs and surrendered two home runs as Pittsburgh handed the righthander the first loss of his young career on April 13.

The Pirates are coming off a pair of extra-inning victories over the Chicago Cubs over the weekend, including a 6-5, 11-inning triumph on Sunday. Pittsburgh was able to tie the game with two outs in the bottom of the ninth when Chicago left fielder Alfonso Soriano lost a fly ball in the sun and had it bounce off his glove, allowing the tying runner to score.

Pittsburgh will send Ian Snell (2-3, 4.84) to the hill as the righthander hopes to end a personal three-game losing streak.

Snell has not won since beating the Reds on April 12.