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Reds ace Volquez makes last start before All-Star game

Jul 12, 2008 - 1:12 PM Cincinnati (45-49) at Milwaukee (51-42) 7:05 pm. EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- All-Star Edinson Volquez makes his last start before a much-anticipated trip to New York City on Saturday as the Cincinnati Reds visit the Milwaukee Brewers in the middle game of a three-game series.

The Reds' lone All-Star representative, Volquez (11-3, 2.36 ERA) has been a huge surprise since coming over from Texas in the trade that sent fellow All-Star Josh Hamilton to the Lone Star State. The righthander is first in the National League in ERA, second in wins and third in strikeouts (116).

Needless to say, the first half of the season has been pretty special for the 25-year-old.

"I'm excited. This is my first full season in the big leagues, and I made the All-Star Game," said Volquez, who allowed three runs and five hits in six innings of a 6-5 win over Washington on Sunday. "Everybody has a dream. A lot of pitchers want to win the Cy Young Award or go to the All-Star Game."

"(Volquez has) been a lifesaver for us," said Reds first-year manager Dusty Baker, who has seen his club win six of eight.

Cincinnati took Friday's opener, 6-5, when rookie Jay Bruce scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning on a wild pitch by reliever Salomon Torres. Milwaukee tries to rebound behind converted reliever Seth McClung (5-4, 4.15), who is winless in his last three starts.