Cardinals vs. Reds
An eight-game losing streak that included four shutout defeats was not the start envisioned by the Cincinnati Reds, who are trying to end a run of four consecutive last-place finishes in the National League Central. The Reds, however, have rebounded with four straight wins and go for a two-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday in Monterrey, Mexico.
Derek Dietrich, signed to a minor league deal in February, hit a go-ahead homer -- his team-high fourth -- and later added a two-run triple in Saturday's 5-2 victory. Jesse Winker also went deep at Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey, his third homer in four games, as Cincinnati halted St. Louis' five-game winning streak. Kolten Wong, who was hitless in 13 at-bats in the Cardinals' four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, swatted his fourth homer in 14 games. Paul Goldschmidt broke out of a 3-for-34 rut with two hits for St. Louis, which was 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Midwest Plus (St. Louis), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Miles Mikolas (1-1, 6.19 ERA) vs. Reds RH Anthony DeSclafani (0-1, 6.75)
One of baseball's biggest surprises last year after winning 18 games following a three-year stint in Japan, Mikolas finally broke into the win column with six innings of three-run ball to beat the Dodgers on Monday. The 30-year-old went five innings in each of his first two road starts, taking the loss at Milwaukee and not factoring in the decision against Pittsburgh. Mikolas went 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA in three starts against the Reds last season, holding them to a .221 batting average.
DeSclafani was unable to build on a promising season debut, taking the loss after lasting only 4 1/3 innings at Pittsburgh last weekend and getting roughed up for six runs and seven hits, including a pair of home runs. The New Jersey native was solid in his season debut against Milwaukee, striking out eight and permitting one run on three hits over five innings in a no-decision. Goldschmidt has been a nemesis, going 7-for-11, while Matt Carpenter is 9-for-20 with three homers, two doubles and a triple.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cardinals SS Paul DeJong was hitless in five at-bats to end his 12-game hitting streak.
2. Reds 1B Joey Votto doubled and walked Saturday to extend his on-base streak versus St. Louis to 17 games.
2. St. Louis RHP John Brebbia has seven scoreless appearances to open the season, allowing only two hits.