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With playoff hopes fading, Cardinals take on Reds

Sep 17, 2008 - 10:09 AM St. Louis (78-72) at Cincinnati (69-81) 7:10 p.m. EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The St. Louis Cardinals have had plenty of opportunities over the last week to gain ground in the National League wild-card race. A six-game losing streak has so far ruined that chance.

While the Cardinals remain five games out of the last playoff spot in the NL, they will look to win for the first time on their current nine-game road trip when they take on the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.

St. Louis (78-72), which is coming off a three-game sweep by the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates, has been unable to take advantage of the struggling Milwaukee Brewers (83-68), who have lost eight of nine and 12 of 15 to surrender the wild-card lead to the New York Mets (83-67)

The Cardinals duel Aaron Harang (4-16, 4.96), who was roughed up in his last start against his division rivals. Harang allowed eight runs, seven hits - three home runs - and three walks in 3 1/3 innings in a 9-3 loss on August 16.

The righthander will look to avoid the dubious distinction of becoming the first 17-game loser this season. He is currently tied with Barry Zito and Justin Verlander for the major league-high in losses.

Todd Wellemeyer (12-7, 3.63) takes the mound for the Cardinals, who hope the righthander can continue his success away from Busch Stadium.

Wellemeyer, 30, is 4-1 with a 2.87 ERA on the road in 13 starts. He suffered his first road loss of the season in his last start away from home despite allowing one run over seven innings in a 3-0 loss to the Houston Astros on August 31.