|
|
Off to a solid start, the Cincinnati Reds will be put to the test when they
open their longest road trip of the season with a four-game series against the
Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
Cincinnati, which took two of three from Pittsburgh at Great American Ball Park
from April 9-11, is embarking on a 10-game trip over the next 11 days.
Slumping Ken Griffey Jr. had a two-run single and Sean Casey singled home another run to send the Reds off on their trip with a rain-shortened 5-3 win over Atlanta on Thursday.
Griffey, who had ankle and shoulder surgery last year, is in a 7-for-39 slump that had dropped his average to .245. Ticketmaster. He has three homers and nine RBIs this season.
The Reds, who have yet to lose a series this season, took two of three from the Braves.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Pirates had their game with the Chicago Cubs completely washed out Thursday,
ending a brutal series for Pittsburgh. After sweeping a three-game set from
the New York Mets at Shea Stadium over the weekend, Pittsburgh dropped the first
two games to the Cubs by a combined score of 21-2.
``The Cubs are a hot team,'' Pittsburgh manager Lloyd McClendon said. ``Let them get the hell out of here.''
The Pirates had hoped Kip Wells would help the team avoid its first series sweep of the season, but he will instead start Friday against the Reds.
Not only will Wells be out to end his team's losing skid, but will be looking
to avenge his only defeat of the season. Wells limited the Reds to two runs
over six innings on April 10 at in Cincinnati, but was on the short end of a
3-1 decision.