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Oswalt attempts to continue career-long domination of Reds

Jul 28, 2008 - 2:31 PM Cincinnati (50-56) at Houston (48-56) 8:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Astros send Roy Oswalt to the mound on Monday when they begin a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds.

Cincinnati managed a mere three runs as it was swept at home by Colorado over the weekend. The Reds were outscored by 20 runs while batting .165 with one homer, all to a Rockies pitching staff that carries a 4.80 ERA, the third-worst mark in the majors.

Things don't figure to get all that much better on Monday when Oswalt (7-8, 4.56 ERA) makes his return from the disabled list. The righthander, who was sidelined by a left hip injury, has absolutely dominated the Reds over his career, going 19-1 with a 2.46 ERA in 24 career games - 22 starts.

Oswalt was surging before being taken out of the game in the second inning vs. Washington on July 11, posting a 2-1 record with a 2.49 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings over his previous four starts.

In an attempt to defeat Oswalt for the first time since April 28, 2006, the Reds will counter with rookie Johnny Cueto (7-9, 4.90), who will look for his first win in four starts. The righthander allowed three runs and four hits with 10 strikeouts over six frames but did not factor into the decision during Tuesday's 4-3 win over San Diego.