=== Cincinnati Reds Team Report - May 22 ===

(My Sportsbook) - The Cincinnati Reds will try for their first three-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves in nearly seven years this evening, when they close out their set at Great American Ball Park.

Cincy hasn't posted a three-game whitewash of the Braves since September 2-4, 1996. The Reds have registered just three home sweeps of Atlanta in the history of the series.

Cincinnati won the second of this set, 9-3, on Wednesday. It marked the Reds' sixth victory in nine games overall. Austin Kearns' three-run double highlighted a six-run fourth inning as the Reds cruised to the victory. Kearns extended his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games.

Adam Dunn clubbed a three-run homer for the Reds in the win as well. Dunn, who belted his 17th homer of the season, has two pinch-hit home runs in his career. The Reds have homered in 15 consecutive games. Barry Larkin left the game with a strained right calf muscle.

Chris Reitsma (3-1) earned the victory. He permitted just two hits in four innings of relief for the Reds, who have won three straight and 11 of their last 15 games.Larkin left the game with a strained right calf muscle.

The Reds will hand the ball to 26-year-old righthander Ryan Dempster this evening. Dempster has lost three straight decisions and hasn't recorded a victory in his last seven outings. The former Florida Marlin was tagged for seven hits and five runs (four earned) over five innings in a loss to Milwaukee last week.

Dempster has struggled against the Braves in his career, going 1-7 with a 4.94 ERA in 12 career starts. The righty has been less than impressive at home this season, going 0-1 with a 6.05 ERA.