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Bruce, Reds aim for sweep of Pirates

May 29, 2008 - 2:14 PM Pittsburgh (24-28) at Cincinnati (25-28) 7:10 p.m. EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- All it took for the Cincinnati Reds to climb out of last place was the presence of their top prospect. The Reds will look to put some more distance between themselves and the cellar when they go for a sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday at Great American Ballpark.

The Reds called up Jay Bruce before the series opener and the phenom has responded by going 4-for-7 with four walks, three runs scored and two RBI. The top prospect in the game, 21-year-old Bruce has take over center field from Corey Patterson, who was struggling with a .243 on-base percentage before being designated for assignment on Wednesday.

Cincinnati has totaled 18 runs in the first two games of the series with Bruce in the lineup, using the offensive surge to jump over the Pirates in the standings.

Pittsburgh fell behind quickly on Wednesday when starter Tom Gorzelanny allowed six runs in the opening frame, getting pulled after just two-thirds of an inning to mark the shortest start of his career. The Reds cruised from there, posting a 9-1 victory.

Phil Dumatrait (1-2, 4.05 ERA) will attempt to give the Pirates a better effort on Thursday. The 26-year-old lefthander has yet to last more than six innings in an outing since moving into the rotation on May 2.

He allowed one run and five hits in 5 2/3 innings on Saturday but did not factor in the decision in a win against the Cubs.

Cincinnati will counter with ace Aaron Harang (2-6, 3.32). The righthander was called on to do some spot relief work during Sunday's 18-inning loss to the San Diego Padres and allowed just two hits in four scoreless innings while striking out nine.