Thu Aug 2 16:57:00 2007

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Rookie to make Reds debut in finale with Nats

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(Sports Network) - Phil Dumatrait makes his major league debut tonight for the Cincinnati Reds, who close out a three-game series with the Washington Nationals tonight at RFK Stadium.

Dumatrait, a former first-round selection of the Boston Red Sox, earned himself a chance in the Cincinnati rotation by posting a 10-5 record with a 3.49 earned run average in 21 starts for Triple-A Louisville. The 26-year-old is taking the place of the departed Kyle Lohse, who was traded to Philadelphia on Monday.

The young left-hander joined the Reds organization midway through the 2003 season in a deal which sent relief pitcher Scott Williamson to Boston. Dumatrait missed the entire 2004 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery and split last season between Louisville and Double-A Chattanooga, compiling an 8-11 record with a 4.33 ERA over 25 combined starts.

Lefty Mike Bacsik goes for his third straight win and fourth in five decisions for the Nationals.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Texan allowed eight hits and two runs over seven innings in his last start, earning a 6-2 victory over the New York Mets on July 27 at Shea Stadium.

One start earlier, he'd pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings en route to a 3-0 defeat of Colorado on July 21.

A veteran of 35 major-league appearances - 28 starts - Bacsik is 1-0 in two outings against the Reds, surrendering 16 hits and nine runs in 12 innings.

On Wednesday, Austin Kearns homered and drove in three runs to lead the Nationals over the Reds, 7-2.

Kearns went 2-for-4 and Ryan Church had two hits and two RBI for the Nationals, who have won five of seven, including the first two of this three- game set. Dmitri Young added two hits and drove in a run and Felipe Lopez scored a pair runs for Washington, which has won nine of its last 14 contests.

Washington starter John Lannan (1-0) picked up his first major league win in just his second career start. The left-hander allowed two runs on five hits, striking out one and walking two, in 5 2/3 innings.

Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn each drove in a run for the Reds, who have dropped four straight.

Cincinnati starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo (4-12) suffered through his worst start of the season. The right-hander lasted a season-low 1 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out one. He has lost two straight and three of four decisions.

Washington won three of four earlier in the season from the Reds, but is just 9-15 in the series since the start of the 2004 campaign.