Pirates-Reds Preview

5/27/2008 11:47 PM

By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA
STATS Senior Writer

Adam Dunn was a heralded rookie when he was called up by the Cincinnati Reds in 2001, and now he's in the team's record books. Seven years later, Jay Bruce has the potential to follow a similar path.

Dunn and Bruce will try to lead the Reds to another strong game at the plate when they play the middle game of their series with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.

Cincinnati (24-28) has won three of four, thanks partly to Dunn's hot streak. The veteran left fielder has three homers and seven RBIs in that span.

Dunn hit a three-run shot that set a club record for home runs by a left-handed batter in Tuesday night's 9-6 win over Pittsburgh (24-27). It was his eighth home run in his last 12 games and gave him 252 for his career, moving ahead of Ted Kluszewski for the most by a left-handed Reds hitter.

Dunn is a big reason Cincinnati has a combined 25 runs and 44 hits over its last three games, and on Tuesday he got some help from Bruce. The Reds' top prospect went 3-for-3 in his eagerly awaited debut, with two singles, a double, two walks, a stolen base and a pair of RBIs.

"It's so much the same as the minors," said the 21-year-old Bruce, who was selected 12th overall in the 2005 draft. "They've just got bigger stands, more fans and better uniforms."

Bruce was batting .364 with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs at Triple-A Louisville before he was promoted Monday.

Bruce is close friends with fellow Cincinnati rookie Joey Votto, who has been outstanding as the team's starting first baseman. Votto, second on the team with 10 home runs, went 3-for-5 in this series' opener, helping the Reds beat the Pirates for the first time in four games this season.

Cincinnati hopes to make it two straight behind Bronson Arroyo (3-4, 5.68 ERA), who is 2-0 with a 2.05 ERA in his last four starts. He beat San Diego on Saturday, giving up two runs and striking out nine in 6 1-3 innings in a 7-2 victory on Saturday night.

The right-hander, though, is 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in six starts against the Pirates. He did not get a decision in his only outing against them this season, allowing three runs - two earned - and six hits in five innings as the Reds lost 4-3 on April 12.

Pittsburgh will counter with Tom Gorzelanny (4-4, 6.31 ERA), who has given up two runs or less in three of his last four starts. He allowed two runs, eight hits and four walks in five innings to earn a win Thursday as the Pirates beat Milwaukee 8-4.

Gorzelanny won for the third time in four starts despite constantly pitching with runners on base. That's been an ongoing problem for the left-hander, who has walked 35 in 45 2-3 innings this season.

Gorzelanny earned a win against the Reds on April 13, giving up one run and four hits while walking four in 6 1-3 innings in a 9-1 Pirates victory. He is 2-1 with a 4.91 ERA in three career starts versus Cincinnati.

Jack Wilson will be behind Gorzelanny at shortstop after being activated Monday. Wilson, who had been sidelined since the third game of the season due to a strained left calf, went 3-for-5.

"It was nice writing his name in the lineup," Pirates manager John Russell said. "I know he's looking forward to it as much as we are. It's been a tough go without that guy. ... We're not expecting him to light the world on fire. We just want him to be Jack."