Pittsburgh Pirates (61-97) at Cincinnati Reds (76-83), 7:10 p.m.

Sports Network | October 2, 2009

(Sports Network) - Rookie right-hander Daniel McCutchen takes his sixth shot at a first big-league win tonight when the Pittsburgh Pirates visit Great American Ball Park for the first of three season-ending games with the Cincinnati Reds.

The Pirates enter the series mired in last place in the National League's Central Division, but can avoid a 100-loss season with at least one weekend victory.

McCutchen, who turned 27 last week, debuted against the Reds on August 31 in Cincinnati and got a no-decision after allowing five hits and three runs in six innings of a 4-3 Pirates loss.

He dropped consecutive decisions to the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers in his next two starts, then got no-decisions against San Diego and the Dodgers in efforts No. 4 and 5.

The Pirates are 1-4 in games he's pitched.

For the Reds, right-hander Justin Lehr makes his third start against the Pirates this season.

The 32-year-old journeyman beat Pittsburgh at home, 11-5, on September 1, rebounding from a 12-2 loss at the Pirates' PNC Park facility on August 22.

In the two games, he's combined to allow 14 hits and 10 runs in 11 innings, and in his career against Pittsburgh he is 3-1 in six outings -- two starts -- with a 5.74 earned run average in 15 2/3 innings.

Lehr won his most recent start for the Reds, downing Houston, 10-4, with five innings of six-hit ball in which he allowed four runs and struck out four.

On Thursday in Chicago, the final game of a four-game series between the Cubs and Pirates was halted in the fourth inning due to heavy rains and eventually canceled.

Pittsburgh led, 3-0, when the game was suspended and delayed for 2 hours, 32 minutes before the decision to not resume or make it up, because neither team is in the National League playoff race.

In Cincinnati, pitcher Chris Carpenter enjoyed a career day at the plate, hitting a grand slam and driving in six, as the St. Louis Cardinals routed the Reds, 13-0, in finale of a three-game series.

Kip Wells (2-5) gave up five runs on five hits and a walk in two-plus innings to take the loss for the Reds, who lost for just the second time in the last 10 games.

The Reds have won 11 of 15 versus the Pirates this year, taking five of six so far at home.