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Reds seek better results vs. Zambrano

Sep 23, 2006 - 3:17 PM Chicago Cubs (62-92) at Cincinnati (76-78) 6:10 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- For the second straight game, the Cincinnati Reds will face a pitcher that dominated them recently as they continue a four-game series with the Chicago Cubs.

On Friday, the Reds faced Rich Hill, who tossed a two-hitter in Chicago last weekend. But despite striking out 10 times against Hill, they posted a 4-2 victory in a game that ended after five innings due to rain.

The win was just the eighth in 25 games for the Reds, who hit three homers off Hill.

While Chicago's Carlos Zambrano (15-6, 3.38 ERA) did not toss a complete game in his last start vs. the Reds, he was able to shut them down. On Sunday, he allowed four hits in seven innings of an 11-3 victory.

Before beating the Reds, Zambrano had missed two starts due to back stiffness.

Chicago has lost three in a row and will face Kyle Lohse, who was drafted by the Cubs in 1996. Lohse (2-4, 4.33) has lost four of his last five starts following a strong start to his tenure with the Reds.

Lohse is 1-3 with a 6.65 ERA in four starts this month. He last pitched Monday in Houston and allowed four runs and six hits in six innings.