Game 71: Reds at Pirates

Pirates are 10 games over .500.
Game preview:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index..._state=Pregame
"Cole faces Reds, going for MLB-best 12th win
By John McGonigal / MLB.com | + 0 COMMENTS
League-leader in wins and rising Cy Young candidate Gerrit Cole will go for his 12th victory of the year against Mike Leake and the Reds on Wednesday at PNC Park.
Cole, who also boasts the second-best ERA in the big leagues (1.78), became MLB's first 10-game winner and has recorded wins in his last six starts.
He'll look to continue that against Cincinnati -- the only team he has relatively struggled with this year. In two matchups with the Reds, Cole is 0-1 with a no-decision in a Pirates loss. Also, Cole has surrendered more than two earned runs just twice in his 15 starts this year -- both of which happened when facing Cincinnati.
Both times Cole has gone up against Cincinnati, his counterpart has been Leake. The 27-year-old right-hander (4-4, 4.01 ERA) was tabbed with a no-decision on April 8 against the Pirates, and then tossed eight scoreless innings in a win on May 6.
After three straight losses to end May, Leake has fared much better in June, posting a 2-0 record and 2.42 ERA in four starts this month.
Leake also hasn't lost to the Pirates since May 5, 2012, and totes a 5-0 mark and 2.59 ERA in his last 10 starts against Pittsburgh.
Three things to know for this game
• Cincinnati outfielder Billy Hamilton leads the league in steals (33), but has had trouble getting on-base in the first place.
On the season alone, Hamilton's .226 batting average and .270 on-base percentage have been discouraging to say the least for someone so deadly on the basepaths.
It's been especially difficult for Hamilton recently as the speedster has had just two multi-hit games since May 31.
• Jay Bruce extended his hitting streak to six games with a two-hit showing on Tuesday night.
Bruce has been on tear during this span, hitting .480 (12-for-25) with three home runs, three doubles, eight RBIs and eight runs scored. Bruce started the streak with a .209 batting average and has since pushed it to .237.
• Mark Melancon has been one of the best closers in baseball this year, especially of late.
Melancon used Tuesday night to bypass Twins closer Glen Perkins for the Major League lead in saves (24). The right-hander has also converted 22 consecutive save opportunities (24-of-25 on the season).
Melancon's 11 saves this month are the most in club history for the month of June.
John McGonigal is an associate reporter for MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs."