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Harang, Reds look to salvage series against Dodgers

Jun 19, 2008 - 12:31 PM LA Dodgers (33-38) at Cincinnati (33-40) 12:35 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Aaron Harang could use a little bit of luck. Then again, so could the rest of his team.

The struggling Cincinnati Reds will host the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ballpark on Thursday with hopes of snapping a four-game losing streak and giving Harang a win in consecutive games for the first time this season.

In his last outing against the Boston Red Sox, Harang (3-9, 4.10 ERA) threw seven innings and allowed just one run and four hits for the win - which followed losses eight of his last nine decisions. In three starts before the 3-1 win on Friday, he had allowed 16 runs and 30 hits in 15 2/3 innings.

The Reds, who have lost seven of 10, dropped the first two games of this three-game set and will look to salvage the final game before traveling to take on the New York Yankees in a three-game interleague series.

Eric Stults starts for the Dodgers after being called up Tuesday to replace Brad Penny, who went on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation and tendinitis.

Stults entered spring training hoping to compete for the fifth starter's spot, but was overlooked in favor of Chan-Ho Park, Hong-Chih Kuo, Esteban Loaiza and, now, Clayton Kershaw. He was optioned before the start of the season to Class AAA Las Vegas. In 2007, he was 1-4 with a 5.87 ERA in 12 games with the parent club.

Adam Dunn leads the Cincinnati offense with 18 home runs and 43 RBI. Highly touted Jay Bruce is hitting .325, and Joey Votto has a .279 mark.

The Dodgers continue to be without Rafael Furcal, who has not played since May 5 because of a bulging disk in his back.

On Tuesday, manager Joe Torre said that Furcal is not likely to return until after the All-Star break, especially after last week's visit to the doctor. Torre added that the possibility of back surgery has not been discussed yet.