The Reds continued to have problems with the bat, hitting only .233 in their first 18 games, with three regulars hitting under .200. However, they'd found ways to win, mostly with solid starting pitching and impeccable bullpen work. Setup relievers David Weathers and Arthur Rhodes hadn't given up a run over a combined 17 appearances, and RHP Francisco Cordero was 6-for-6 in save situations through April 26.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Bronson Arroyo (3-1, 6.48 ERA) starts Friday in Pittsburgh against the team that originally drafted him. Arroyo is 2-3 with a 4.07 ERA in seven starts and is 4-5 with a 4.50 ERA for his career in PNC Park over 19 appearances for the Pirates and Reds.
--RHP Mike Lincoln (0-0, 15.12 ERA) continues to struggle out of the bullpen, giving up runs in five of his eight appearances, including runs given up in each of his last three appearances. Lincoln, out of baseball for three full seasons, returned last year to go 2-5 with a 4.48 ERA in 64 relief appearances.
--C Ryan Hanigan will catch RHP Bronson Arroyo for the fifth consecutive time Friday in Pittsburgh. Hanigan is hitting .357 (5-for-14), has hits in all four games and is 3-for-3 throwing out would-be base stealers.
MEDICAL WATCH:
OF Chris Dickerson (head) left the April 27 game, and he didn't play April 28-29. He is day-to-day.
3B Edwin Encarnacion (chip fracture in left wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list April 28. He might miss two to three weeks.
ROTATION:
RHP Aaron Harang
RHP Edinson Volquez
RHP Bronson Arroyo
RHP Johnny Cueto
RHP Micah Owings
BULLPEN:
RHP Francisco Cordero (closer)
RHP David Weathers
LHP Arthur Rhodes
RHP Jared Burton
RHP Mike Lincoln
LHP Daniel Ray Herrera
RHP Nick Masset
CATCHERS:
Ramon Hernandez
Ryan Hanigan
INFIELDERS:
1B Joey Votto
2B Brandon Phillips
SS Alex Gonzalez
3B Jerry Hairston Jr.
INF Paul Janish
INF Adam Rosales
INF Laynce Nix
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Chris Dickerson
CF Willy Taveras
RF Jay Bruce
OF Darnell McDonald
