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Bruce set for second game as Reds host Pirates

May 28, 2008 - 1:38 PM Pittsburgh (24-27) at Cincinnati (24-28) 7:10 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) - It would be very hard for Jay Bruce to have a better performance than his last one - which was also the first off his major league career.

The 21-year-old outfielder tries to build off his impressive debut when the Cincinnati Reds host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday in the middle contest of a three-game series.

Widely considered the top prospect in baseball, Bruce proved that he belongs in the big leagues after being called up early Tuesday.

Bruce went 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI, two walks, a stolen base and two runs scored in his major league debut in helping the Reds record a 9-6 victory over the Pirates.

Showing no signs of intimidation from his switch to the majors, Bruce became the first Reds player since Willie Green in 1992 to collect three hits in his major league debut.

Adam Dunn also delivered his 252nd career homer - all with the Reds - in the fifth inning, surpassing Ted Kluszewski for the all-time club mark in home runs by a lefthanded batter. It was his 14th blast of the season.

Pittsburgh lefthander Tom Gorzelanny (4-4, 6.31 ERA) will have to contain Bruce and Dunn as well as the rest of Cincinnati's potent offense. He allowed two runs and eight hits over five innings during Thursday's 8-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

He will be opposed by righthander Bronson Arroyo (3-4, 5.68), who gave up two runs and seven hits with nine strikeouts over 6 1/3 frames in Saturday's 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres.