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Chicago Cubs (86-56) At Cincinnati Reds (63-79), 1:15 P.m.

(Sports Network) - The Cubs are hoping their offense has awoke at just the right time. After halting a season-high losing streak, Chicago plays the finale of a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds this afternoon at Great American Ball Park.

Chicago was shutout twice and scored just 14 runs during its six-game losing streak. However, the club matched that run total in one game, posting a 14-9 victory on Saturday versus the Reds.

Alfonso Soriano notched the third three-homer game of his career in last night's win while also scoring four runs. Derrek Lee went 4-for-6 with two doubles and three RBI on his 33rd birthday and Mark DeRosa belted a three-run homer. Even winning pitcher Jason Marquis got into the act, connecting on a solo homer.

Jolbert Cabrera belted a grand slam for the Reds -- the club's second in this series -- and Paul Bako drove in two runs for Cincinnati, which has dropped three of its last five games.

The Cubs will be without Carlos Zambrano today due to right rotator cuff tendinitis and inflammation, starting Sean Marshall instead.

Marshall was forced into his fifth start of the season on Sunday versus the Phillies and got the loss after Zambrano was scratched due to injury. The left-hander allowed five runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings.

The 26-year-old is 3-4 with a save and 4.03 earned run average in 23 relief outings and five starts this year. Marshall is also 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in five games, including one start, lifetime versus the Reds.

Aaron Harang counters for the Reds and he is just 1-4 with a 7.52 ERA in five starts since returning from an injured forearm. Harang has allowed just six runs over his last three starts, though, but lost to Pittsburgh on Tuesday after giving up three runs on five hits over six innings of work.

Harang, who has allowed five homers in his last two starts, is just 4-15 this year with a 5.24 ERA. The 30-year-old righty is 8-6 with a 4.87 ERA in 18 career starts versus the Cubs. He lost to them on July 8, allowing six runs on five hits and seven walks in 4 1/3 innings in what was his final start before a disabled-list stint due to his forearm.

Chicago is 8-6 versus the Reds this year, dropping three of five in Cincinnati.


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