Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Posted: 12:25 p.m.
CSNPhilly.com
Phillies (29-18) vs. Reds (25-23), 7:05 p.m. on WPHL
Starting Pitchers
Phillies: Vance Worley (2-0, 1.13) was sent back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on May 16 in order to make room for Roy Oswalt. In his lone minor league start before his promotion back to the bigs, Worley allowed three earned runs on seven hits in just three innings of work. Prior to his demotion, the 23-year-old right-hander had allowed just two runs in 16 major league innings.
Reds: Despite missing the first month of the season due to biceps irritation, Johnny Cueto (2-1, 1.45) has pitched very well since his return. Cueto returned with a bang, pitching his first 17 23 innings of 2011 without allowing an earned run. He is, however, coming off his first loss of the season, a five-inning, three-run outing against the Pirates.
Previous games
With their 10-3 loss to the Phillies on Monday, the Reds extended their losing streak to a season-high six games. Offensive woes are to blame for the skid as Cincinnati averaged just 2.5 runs per game over the span.
The Phils had been suffering from similar struggles at the plate prior to their 10-run outburst, failing to post more than three runs in each of the nine games preceding Mondays victory.
Head-to-head
Ryan Howard is 5-for-13 (.385) lifetime off Cueto with a double, a triple and a home run. Ben Francisco has managed just one hit in nine career at-bats against Cueto, striking out three times.
Since leaving the Phils in 2002, Scott Rolen has 55 hits in 165 at-bats (.333) against his former team. Cueto is 1-2 with a 5.96 ERA in four career starts against the Phils, while Worley has never faced the Reds.
Whos hot?
Placido Polanco has at least a hit in five straight games, notching eight total hits over that span. He homered and drove in a pair of runs in Mondays win.
MLB
Jay Bruce is tearing the cover off the ball over his last five games, posting 11 hits (four home runs) since Thursday. Funnily enough, the Reds have lost each game since Bruce caught fire.
Storylines
Despite Chase Utleys 0-for-5 performance in his season debut, his return to the lineup seemed to ignite the Phils offense. The club will look to repeat Mondays success with a likely similar batting order on Tuesday.
Sound off
Worley, Kyle Kendrick or Joe Blanton. Take your pick.