Reds seek continued success vs. Cubs

The last-place Cincinnati Reds have remained within earshot of the front runners in the National League Central due in part to their success against the Chicago Cubs.

After winning the series opener, the Reds vie for their sixth victory in eight outings vs. the first-place Cubs this season when the division rivals continue their three-game set in Cincinnati on Saturday.

Joey Votto ripped an RBI single to highlight his 24th career four-hit performance as the Reds opened a nine-game homestand with a 6-3 win on Friday.

The 35-year-old veteran is 8-for-14 with two homers, five RBIs and four runs in his past four games overall and 15-for-30 with nine runs in the season series versus Chicago.

"They are a very good team. They are very competitive," Votto said of the Cubs, who owned a 51-25 record vs. Cincinnati over the previous four seasons.

"We know that with every win that we have a chance to move up the charts in the division. That's our goal."

Votto is 10-for-20 with four doubles against left-hander Jose Quintana (4-7, 4.50 ERA), who will get the nod on Saturday for Chicago. The Cubs will be looking for length out of their starter after the bullpen was taxed in the series opener.

Chicago left-hander Cole Hamels lasted just one inning Friday before exiting due to a left oblique strain. After the game, the Cubs announced that Hamels would be placed on the injured list.

"He's been unbelievable," reliever Mike Montgomery said of the 35-year-old veteran. "Obviously, you hope it's not serious. We're definitely going to need him."

Quintana will bid to snap a horrific stretch in which he has posted an 0-6 mark with a 5.40 ERA over his past nine starts.

The 30-year-old was shelled for a season-high nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits -- including three homers -- in 4 1/3 innings in a 10-2 loss to the New York Mets on June 22.

Quintana fell to 3-4 with a 4.50 ERA in eight career starts versus Cincinnati after a pair of losses last month. He surrendered three runs over five innings in a 4-2 setback on May 16 and six runs (five earned) on 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings during a 10-2 loss 10 days later.

On Saturday, Quintana might face Scooter Gennett for the first time this season. The Reds welcomed the return of former All-Star on Friday, and Gennett went 1-for-4 with an infield single in his season debut. He had been sidelined since sustaining a strained right groin on March 22.

"We're in it," Gennett said. "It's pretty close, pretty tight. And we're still a couple weeks away from the All-Star break, so there's plenty of time to make a run."

Cincinnati left-hander Luis Castillo (7-2, 2.56 ERA) will get the nod on Saturday as he vies for a better performance than the one he managed in his last outing. Castillo allowed six runs (four earned) on five hits with five walks in 3 2/3 innings in a 6-5 setback at Milwaukee on June 22.

Castillo improved to 3-1 with a 3.75 ERA in seven career starts against the Cubs on May 16 after permitting two runs on as many hits in 5 1/3 innings, earning the win. All-Star Willson Contreras, whose 10-game hitting streak ended Friday, is 4-for-6 with three doubles against the hurler.

Castillo would be wise to keep an eye on Jason Heyward, who belted a two-run shot in the opener to improve to 12-for-25 (.480) with two homers, seven RBIs and six runs in his past seven games. He is 0-for-10 with three strikeouts against Castillo, however.

--Field Level Media