The Cincinnati Reds will look to improve on their less than stellar road record on Friday when they head out to the windy city to take on the Chicago Cubs at 2:20 p.m. ET.
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Via ESPN:
With three wins away from home, Cincinnati (15-14) is one of the worst road teams in the majors. The Reds haven't helped themselves by hitting .195 with 17 runs in the last nine games, including the first seven of a 10-game trip.
Cincinnati had six hits in a 4-2 loss to St. Louis on Wednesday, and Brandon Phillips was the only player to drive in runs with a solo homer and double.
"Hopefully, we'll regroup in Chicago and come home victorious," manager Dusty Baker told the team's official website. "I'd like a sweep before we get home."
The Reds would appear to have a good chance to salvage their trip as they've won six in a row at Wrigley Field. Cincinnati recorded its only seven-game win streak there June 25, 2002-April 14, 2003.
Cincinnati, though, will face Villanueva (1-1, 2.29 ERA) in the series opener. The right-hander yielded a solo homer, two singles and two walks to the Reds in a career high-tying 8 1/3 innings April 23, but he did not get a decision in a 4-2 road win.
Carlos Villanueva had a 1.53 ERA in his first four starts with Chicago before giving up four runs over six innings in Sunday's 6-4 loss in Miami. He's 1-2 with a 2.50 ERA in six starts against the Reds.
The Cubs (11-17) nearly headed into this game having won six of eight, but they allowed four runs in the eighth inning of a 4-2 loss to San Diego on Thursday.
Welington Castillo allowed the tying run to score when he failed to hustle after a passed ball.
"I want to apologize to my teammates for doing that. That's not going to happen anymore," Castillo said.
