After a 7-3 trip that buoyed hopes for a good season, the Reds returned home and sputtered, going 2-4, including losing two of three to the Astros, a team they had beaten three of four in Houston. The Reds did win one against the Astros, ending a streak of 11 consecutive head-to-head losses at home and a 1-15 record at home against them over the past three seasons.
PLAYER NEWS: --RHP Bronson Arroyo (4-1, 4.91 ERA) makes his second start of the season against the Brewers on Wednesday in Great American Ball Park. He beat them in Milwaukee 6-1, holding them to one run and four hits over 6 1/3 innings. Arroyo is 8-5 with a 3.45 ERA in 17 appearances against the Brewers.
--C Ryan Hanigan, hitting .389, makes his sixth start of the season Wednesday against the Brewers. He has caught only games in which RHP Bronson Arroyo has started and has thrown out all three attempted base-stealers.
--RHP Francisco Cordero is 7-for-7 in save opportunities. For the second consecutive season, the Reds are the last team in the majors to blow a save opportunity, not blowing one last season until the 41st game of the season.
MEDICAL WATCH:
SS Alex Gonzalez (strained left oblique) left the May 4 game and did not play May 5. He will be re-evaluated May 6.
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
