21200422.xml

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<!DOCTYPE message PUBLIC "-//TSN//DTD Preview 1.0/EN" "mlbpreviewxml.dtd">
<message>
<XML_File_ID>21200422</XML_File_ID>
<heading>AAV!PREVIEW-CIN-ARI</heading>
<game_id>39983</game_id>
<schedule_id>39983</schedule_id>
<category>Previews</category>
<sport>MLB</sport>
<title>
Cincinnati Reds (24-29) at Arizona Diamondbacks (23-34), 10:10 p.m. (ET)
</title>
<Game_Date>05/31/2014</Game_Date>
<Game_Time>10:10 PM</Game_Time>
<vteam id="003">Cincinnati</vteam>
<hteam id="055">Arizona</hteam>
<visitorprob record="4-4" ERA="1.83">Cincinnati - Johnny Cueto</visitorprob>
<homeprob record="1-6" ERA="4.87">Arizona    - Brandon McCarthy</homeprob>
<body>
 
<P>
 (SportsNetwork.com) - In the third part of a four-game series the Cincinnati
 Reds will send out ace Johnny Cueto against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
 
</P>
<P>
 These teams split the first two games of this weekend series, with Arizona
 taking a 4-0 win on Thursday and Cincinnati grabbing a 6-4 triumph on Friday
 night.
 
</P>
<P>
 Devin Mesoraco hit a pair of home runs, including a grand slam in the second
 inning, to lift the Reds to the win last night, their second in the last three
 games following a four-game losing streak. Todd Frazier and Roger Bernadina
 each had a pair of hits as well.
 
</P>
<P>
 Mike Leake was the winning pitcher in the contest, allowing four runs, three
 of which were earned, over six innings of work. Sam LeCure, Jonathan Broxton
 and Aroldis Chapman each pitched scoreless innings in relief to close out the
 game, with Chapman earning his sixth save.
 
</P>
<P>
 Bronson Arroyo was tagged with the loss for Arizona, despite lasting seven
 innings. The veteran right-hander gave up five runs on nine hits in the loss.
 
</P>
<P>
 A.J. Pollock went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, but the rest of the team went
 just 4-for-30. Even with the loss the Diamondbacks have won five of their last
 eight games.
 
</P>
<P>
 The Reds have to feel like they have a good shot to win on Saturday
 considering Cueto will be starting for them.
 
</P>
<P>
 The 28-year-old right-hander is having the best season of his seven-year
 career so far. Cueto leads the majors in strikeouts (85), WHIP (0.75) and
 complete games (three), while also among the top five pitchers in both leagues
 in innings pitched (83 2/3) and ERA (1.83).
 
</P>
<P>
 However, wins have not come as easily for Cueto, who has split his eight
 decisions and has actually lost his last two starts. The most recent came on
 Monday against the Dodgers when he allowed four runs, only one of which was
 earned, in 6 1/3 innings in a 4-3 loss.
 
</P>
<P>
 Cueto has not faced Arizona yet this season, but has pitched against them
 seven times in his career. He has had great success in that time, accumulating
 a 5-1 record and 2.98 ERA.
 
</P>
<P>
 On the opposite side, Brandon McCarthy will be starting for Arizona.
 
</P>
<P>
 McCarthy's second season in Arizona has not gone much better than his first.
 Following a season when he went 5-11 with a 4.53 ERA in 22 starts, McCarthy is
 just 1-6 with a 4.87 ERA in his first 11 starts this year.
 
</P>
<P>
 The right-hander began to show signs of improvement in three of his first four
 starts this month, but he regressed yet again last time out, surrendering five
 runs on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings against San Diego. Fortunately for
 McCarthy, the Diamondbacks were able to rally and collect a 7-5 victory.
 
</P>
<P>
 McCarthy has not had much success in limited experience against Cincinnati,
 with a 21.00 ERA over three innings of work.
 
</P>
<P>
 This is the first series of the season between these teams this season.
 Cincinnati won four of seven meetings last year.
 
</P>
 
 
 
 
 
</body>
<time_stamp> May 31, 2014, at 10:46 AM ET </time_stamp>
</message>