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A-Rod, Yankees hope to keep rolling vs. Reds

Jun 20, 2008 - 1:22 PM Cincinnati (33-41) at NY Yankees (40-33), 7:05 pm EDT

BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- Alex Rodriguez's home run streak is over, but he continues to help the New York Yankees keep winning.

Rodriguez and the Yankees will attempt to extend their season-best winning streak to eight games when they open a three-game interleague series against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.

The reigning American League MVP, Rodriguez delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning as New York defeated the San Diego Padres, 2-1, on Thursday to complete the sweep and pick up its 12th win in 15 games.

The 32-year-old Rodriguez went 10-for-20 with four home runs and eight RBI over the previous five contests. He is now batting .335 with 14 blasts and 41 RBI this season.

Reds starter Edinson Volquez (9-2, 1.64 ERA) will have the daunting task of containing Rodriguez and the rest of the Yankees' high-powered offense, which has scored 45 runs over its current winning streak.

Volquez, who currently leads the majors with 105 strikeouts this season, allowed three runs - two earned - and seven hits with one walk and nine strikeouts over seven frames in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

He will be opposed by veteran righthander Mike Mussina (10-4, 3.87), who will look to become the first American League pitcher to reach 11 wins. He gave up three runs and six hits with four strikeouts en route to winning his fourth straight decision - an 8-4 triumph over the Houston Astros on Saturday.