The Cincinnati Reds will seek their first home series sweep of the season and just their third sweep of the year overall when they host the Athletics on Thursday afternoon in the finale of a three-game set.
Rhett Lowder threw six strong innings as the Reds registered a 3-2 victory over the Athletics on Wednesday, securing their second consecutive one-run win.
Cincinnati swept the Texas Rangers from April 3-5 in Arlington, Texas, and the Minnesota Twins from April 17-19 in Minneapolis.
The Reds have secured a winning record on their current homestand, winning six out of nine ahead of the finale on Thursday. Cincinnati has been playing improved baseball since the All-Star break, capturing five of six series and posting a 12-6 record to remain on the brink of contention for a National League wild-card spot.
Losers of seven straight, the Athletics will try to salvage the finale of the series before they travel to Boston to take on the hottest team in baseball this weekend.
The A’s have lost 12 straight series. Since starting the season 26-24, the Athletics are 19-45, including 5-27 since June 27.
On Wednesday, the Athletics jumped in front when Lawrence Butler opened the game with a home run. Cincinnati answered with balanced hitting, featuring Matt McLain’s ninth home run of the season, and a shutdown ninth inning from reliever Emilio Pagan, who secured his 13th save and second in as many days.
“If we can keep our bullpen from getting overused, they got a chance to be good,” Cincinnati manager Terry Francona said. “We’ve had a struggle with that. That’s not their fault. It’s just they’ve been used a lot.”
Lowder limited the A’s to two runs and four hits while striking out three, earning his first win since April 20.
“We’ve been through a lot. Guys have been on the IL. I’ve been on the IL,” Lowder said. “We’ve had guys coming back. I’ve played multiple roles, and I think everyone’s had each other’s back the entire way. And I don’t see that changing now.”
After Cincinnati ace right-hander Hunter Greene landed on the injured list because of right elbow soreness on Wednesday, the Reds will turn to left-hander Andrew Abbott (5-7, 3.91 ERA) in the series finale.
Abbott had his start moved up from Friday in Washington to Thursday, with Greene traveling to Los Angeles to get an opinion on his elbow from renowned orthopedic surgeon Neal ElAttrache.
Abbott takes the mound for Cincinnati seeking a rebound performance. In his latest start, he struggled heavily with his command, issuing five walks over five innings of three-run ball in a 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 1.
The Athletics will counter with rookie right-hander Mason Barnett (1-1, 4.85), making his second start and 16th appearance of the season.
Most recently, Barnett allowed three runs and four hits over five innings in a July 30 start against the Red Sox. He wound up with a no-decision in a game the A’s lost 5-4.
Barnett was called up for his fourth stint with the Athletics this season on July 22 and has shown flashes of elite missing-bat capability, racking up 29 strikeouts in 29 2/3 major league innings this year.
Both starting pitchers will be facing their opponent for the first time in their careers.
–Field Level Media
