Jeff Locke v Michael Lorenzen; Lineup & Notes

Today's Game - Jeff Locke (5-6, 4.01) meets Michael Lorenzen (3-5, 4.58) tonight. Locke has been frustratingly up-and-down. His pattern is to have a bad fourth inning (second time around syndrome?), then settle in until the seventh where he's generally gassed. Still, he's posted a 2.53 ERA in his last eight starts, helped because he hasn't given up a long ball over that span. Jeff is 2-2 with a 3.26 ERA in nine career starts against the Redlegs. This season, tho, he's already lost a 7-1 decision to Lorenzen and had a no decision in a 7-6 win at PNC, giving up a 2015 total of eight runs in 11 innings against Cincy.

Jeff Locke takes his turn against the Reds (photo Charles LeClaire/USA To0day)

Lorenzen has been plagued by control issues - he walks five per game - and long balls, giving up 1.6/nine innings during his rookie campaign. Still, he handled the Bucs easily in his only outing against them, winning 7-1. Lorenzen went six, giving up three hits and three walks while whiffing four. Overall, he's been pretty solid, giving up three runs or less in 11 of his 14 starts.

The game starts at 7:10 and will be on Root Sports and 93.7 The Fan.

Today's Lineup - Gregory Polanco RF, Starling Marte LF, Cutch CF, A-Ram 3B, Jung-Ho Kang SS, Neil Walker 2B, Pedro 1B, Fran Cervelli C, Locke P.

The usual suspects.

• Joakim Soria arrived in the clubhouse about 4PM, so we suppose he'll be good to go tonite. No confirmation yet on who he's replacing.
• Starling Marte leads MLB with 25 infield hits and NL hitter in overall knocks with 92. He's also in the midst of a nine game hitting streak.
• Pedro's homer off David Holmberg yesterday was his first off a LHP since 4/17/14 vs Milwaukee's Wei-Chung Wang.
• Gorkys Hernandez cleared waivers and was returned to Indy.