Cards seek to get on track against Reds

Jaime Garcia attempts to win for the first time in six game series with the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium.

Garcia hasn't pitched since August 24 when he lost his third consecutive decision to the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing seven runs and nine hits in five innings.

"I had a couple of starts where it was tough," said Garcia, who hasn't won since July 23. "There was fatigue. I was getting tired. But today, there was no physical fatigue or anything. I felt good physically today. Just one of those things."

Garcia could get himself back on track today, as he is 5-1 lifetime versus the Reds with a 3.38 ERA in eight games (six starts). However, he lost to them the last time he faced them, despite allowing two runs (one earned) in seven innings back on July 5.

Cincinnati will hand the ball this afternoon to righty Homer Bailey, who is 7-6 with a 4.35 ERA. Bailey absorbed the loss on Monday against Philadelphia, as he surrendered three runs and six hits in eight innings. He also struck out nine without walking a batter.

Bailey handled the Cards the last time he faced them and is 2-4 in eight starts against them with a 5.18 ERA.

In Friday's opener, Juan Francisco cracked a three-run homer in the ninth inning and finished with five RBI to lead the Reds to an 11-8 win.

Yonder Alonso smacked a two-run homer and Todd Frazier added a solo shot for the Reds, who came into the series having been swept in four games by the Phillies.

Jose Arredondo (4-4) tossed one inning of relief to earn the win, giving up one run and one hit, while Marc Rzepczynski (0-1) gave up two runs on two hits in the seventh inning to take the loss.

Rafael Furcal, Matt Holliday and David Freese all hit solo homers, while Lance Berkman and Albert Pujols added two hits apiece for the Cardinals, who had their four-game winning streak come to an end.

The Reds have won eight of 13 meetings with St. Louis this season.