(Sports Network) - Right-hander Aaron Harang tries to snap a slump against one his favorite foes when the Cincinnati Reds open a three-game series with the National League Central rival Pittsburgh Pirates tonight at Great American Ball Park.

Harang, who is 11-4 in 18 career starts against the Pirates, led the Reds in victories for two straight seasons - recording 16 apiece in 2006 and 2007 - before beginning a struggle that's lasted throughout 2008.

The 30-year-old opened the season with one win in six decisions, then got win No. 2 with a defeat of Florida on May 12. He's followed up with five losses in six subsequent decisions, however, including a 7-2 defeat to the Pirates on May 29. In that game, he allowed 10 hits and six runs in four innings.

Pittsburgh lefty Paul Maholm, who will oppose Harang this evening, faced the Reds on April 11 and pitched well, but got a no-decision in the Pirates' 1-0 triumph.

In that game, Maholm, who's 2-3 in 11 lifetime starts against Cincinnati, scattered six hits, walked two and struck out two in 5 1/3 scoreless innings.

More recently, he is unbeaten in his last six starts, winning three times and allowing 41 hits and 17 earned runs in 42 1/3 innings.

Maholm defeated Toronto on June 21 after giving up seven hits and three runs in seven innings.

The Pirates were just handed two home losses in three games against the Tampa Bay Rays. In Sunday's finale, Shawn Riggans went 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI as the Rays edged Pittsburgh, 4-3.

Jack Wilson went 2-for-4 and scored twice for the Pirates, who have dropped three of four. Tyler Yates (3-1) took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits in two innings of relief of Tom Gorzelanny, who gave up two runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts and two walks in six frames.

In Cleveland on Sunday, Edwin Encarnacion and Adam Dunn each homered and drove in three runs as the Reds trumped the Indians, 9-5, to take the rubber match of the battle of Ohio.

Bronson Arroyo (5-7) yielded two runs -- one earned -- while striking out six in six innings of work for the Reds, who took the final two games of the set.

Jeff Keppinger went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and Brandon Philips also knocked in a run for Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh has won four of the six previous encounters between these teams this season, but the Reds won two of three tests from the Pirates at Great American Ball Park in May.