News
Bailey to start in place of Lehr
Cincinnati (63-73) at Colorado (77-60), 3:10 p.m. ET
By Guy Curtright / Special to MLB.com
09/06/09 6:49 PM ET
ATLANTA -- Homer Bailey won't be getting an extra day off between starts after all. Bailey, who has won his past three starts, was moved up to pitch the series opener for Cincinnati on Monday in Colorado when Justin Lehr was scratched on Sunday because of a strained right groin. Having Bailey take Lehr's place wasn't a problem because the right-hander last pitched on Wednesday against Pittsburgh, and he'll get his normal time in between starts. Cincinnati was off on Thursday before it began its three-game series in Atlanta. To keep the rest of the rotation on schedule, the Reds will recall Matt Maloney to start Tuesday's game against the Rockies. The left-hander made four starts for Cincinnati earlier this season, going 0-3 with a 6.46 ERA. Maloney, 25, was 9-9 with a 3.00 ERA in the Minors, making 23 starts for Triple-A Louisville and one for Double-A Carolina. Lehr's groin strain is not considered serious, but the Reds decided to play it safe and give him a little extra time to heal."I hope it will just be one turn," the journeyman right-hander said.
Lehr, 32, is 4-1 with a 4.43 ERA in seven starts since he was promoted from Louisville. He was named the Most Valuable Pitcher in the International League, going a combined 13-3 with Lehigh Valley and Louisville. "You have to careful with a groin," Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker said. "It could affect something else." Lehr pitched a four-hit shutout against the Cubs in his second start for the Reds, and he has been a pleasant surprise in his first chance as a starter in the Majors. He made 66 relief appearances with the A's and Brewers from 2004-06. "He just gets them out," Baker said. "Some guys who light up radar guns and some guys who have Sandy Koufax breaking balls don't get anybody out. He gets people out. ... He's a battler." Lehr won his past two starts, although he gave up nine runs against the Brewers and Pirates. He worked 7 2/3 innings in Milwaukee and then lasted six innings against Pittsburgh on Tuesday, despite tweaking his right groin on the second pitch. "I think it's something I could have battled through," Lehr said. "But we decided it was foolish to push it." Finally given his shot as a starter, Lehr doesn't want to risk being out for very long."It's important for me to finish string," he said.
Pitching matchupCIN: RHP Homer Bailey (4-4, 5.90)
In his past three starts, Bailey is 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA with four earned runs, eight walks and 19 strikeouts over 21 1/3 innings. During Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Pirates, Bailey worked his third consecutive quality start as he pitched 6 1/3 innings, with three earned runs and seven hits allowed. He walked three and set another career high with eight strikeouts. Two of the runs crossed on solo home runs, and Bailey was successful at avoiding any big innings or scoring situations. COL: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (13-10, 3.28 ERA)
Masterful performances are becoming the norm for Jimenez, who held the Mets to two runs in eight innings during the Rockies' 5-2 victory on Wednesday night. After giving up a solo shot to Jeff Francoeur on a first-pitch breaking ball in the fourth inning, Jimenez was as close to 100 percent as possible in terms of throwing quality pitches the rest of the night. Jimenez is 7-1 with a 2.44 ERA in his past 10 starts. Tidbits
Bailey will be making his first start at Coors Field on Monday, but he is 0-2 lifetime against the Rockies. He lost, 5-1, in 2008, giving up 15 hits over 4 2/3 innings, and Bailey dropped a 6-2 decision this season to Colorado on Aug. 1 in which he gave up seven hits and five runs over 5 1/3 innings. Bailey has six quality starts this year in 14 outings, including each of his past three appearances. ... Scott Rolen has a .331 career average at Coors Field, with 41 hits in 124 at-bats. He has eight homers and 22 RBIs. But Jonny Gomes has been even better, going 7-for-11 with two homers and five RBIs. In contrast, Brandon Phillips is a .146 hitter in Colorado. Tickets
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• Tuesday: Reds (Matt Maloney, 0-3, 6.46) at Rockies (Jason Marquis, 14-10, 3.75), 8:40 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Reds (Bronson Arroyo, 12-12, 4.23) at Rockies (Jason Hammel, 8-7, 4.41), 8:40 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Reds (Kip Wells, 1-3, 4.85) at Rockies (Jose Contreras, 6-13, 5.19), 3:10 p.m. ET
Guy Curtright is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
