(Sports Network) - Soft-tossing right-hander Paul Byrd looks to snap a personal slump tonight when the Cleveland Indians host the Cincinnati Reds in game two of their three-game interleague series at Progressive Field.

Byrd was 2-3 after a defeat of the Oakland Athletics on May 13, but has since dropped five of six decisions as his record has plummeted to 3-8 and his earned run average has risen from 3.61 to 5.21.

He dropped a 4-3 verdict to the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last outing, allowing seven hits and four runs over seven innings on June 22.

Byrd is 4-1 in 14 career games - seven starts - against the Reds, posting a 3.04 ERA and striking out 34 batters in 50 1/3 innings of work.

Rookie Johnny Cueto goes for Cincinnati and faces the Indians for the second time.

Cueto got a no-decision in the Reds' 4-3 home win on May 16, allowing three hits and three runs with seven strikeouts in six innings.

He's 3-4 in seven starts since, but, like Byrd, has dropped three straight.

Cueto's last win came June 6 at Florida, but in 17 subsequent innings has allowed 14 hits and nine runs while losing to St. Louis, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees.

Cueto is 1-5 in seven road starts with a 6.49 ERA in 34 2/3 innings.

On Friday, C.C. Sabathia hurled eight scoreless innings and fanned 11 Reds en route to carrying the Indians to a 6-0 victory over Cincinnati.

After an hour rain delay, the Indians' ace was masterful in allowing just four hits and two walks.

The Indians' 37-43 record has sparked rampant rumors about Sabathia (6-8) being traded before he becomes a free agent in the offseason, but those didn't stop the lefty from winning his third straight decision.

Grady Sizemore homered and drove in three runs, while Jamey Carroll went 3- for-4 with an RBI in Cleveland's second straight win.

In his second career start, Daryl Thompson (0-1) was touched for four runs on eight hits in five-plus innings of work for the Reds, who have dropped four of five. Cincy's offense failed to record an extra-base hit in defeat.

Cincinnati swept a three-game set from the Indians earlier in the season.