Suppan tries to get Brewers on track against Reds

Sep 15, 2007, 14:46 GMT

- Former postseason hero Jeff Suppan makes his third start against Cincinnati in less than a month tonight, when the Milwaukee Brewers continue a key three-game series against the Reds at Miller Park.

Suppan, who starred for the St. Louis Cardinals on the way to a World Series title in 2006, got a no-decision against the Reds in a September 8 outing - allowing three hits and three runs over six innings of a 4-3 Milwaukee win.

The Brewers, who dropped the opener, 6-5, on Friday night, enter Saturday's games trailing the first-place Chicago Cubs by 1 1/2 games in the National League's Central Division. The Cubs beat the Cardinals, 5-3, in their three- game series opener on Friday.

On August 17 in Milwaukee, Suppan allowed eight hits and three earned runs over 5 2/3 innings in the Brewers' 8-3 loss to the Reds.

He's 2-2 in 10 lifetime starts against Cincinnati.

Right-hander Kirk Saarloos makes just his third start of the season for the Reds.

The 28-year-old has come from the bullpen in 30 of 32 appearances this season, including a three-inning stint on September 9 against Milwaukee, in which he allowed two hits and a run in the Reds' 10-5 loss.

He also faced the Brewers on July 26 and gave up a solo home run while not retiring a batter in Cincinnati's 6-5 win.

His last win came July 8 against Arizona, when he tossed two-thirds of an inning of hitless relief in the Reds' 4-3 triumph.

On Friday, Brandon Phillips went 2-for-3 and knocked in three runs to lead the Reds past the Brewers.

Adam Dunn finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a two-run homer while Norris Hopper collected three hits and scored twice for the Reds, who have won four straight and six of their last eight overall.

Cincinnati starter Tom Shearn (3-0) gave up three runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings. Bill Bray served up a two-out, two-run homer to Mike Rivera in the ninth, but got Kevin Mench to foul out to end the game and pick up his first save of the season.

Ben Sheets (12-5) started and lasted just three innings after getting roughed up for five runs on six hits for the Brewers.

Prince Fielder hit his 45th home run of the season, a two-run shot, while Corey Hart had two hits and two runs scored.

The Reds have won seven of 12 against the Brewers this season, and took two of three when the clubs met in Milwaukee from August 17-19.

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