(Sports Network) - Freddy Garcia tries to help the Philadelphia Phillies win consecutive games for the first time this season this afternoon when they play the rubber match of their three-game set with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.

Garcia was tagged with the loss in his Phillies debut on Tuesday against the New York Mets, as he allowed three runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Garcia, who was acquired in the offseason from the Chicago White Sox, started the season on the disabled list with right biceps tendinitis.

The 30-year-old right-hander has fared pretty well in his career against the Reds, going 2-0 against them with a 2.25 earned run average in two starts.

Cincinnati will counter with right-hander Matt Belisle, who is 2-0 this season with a 3.63 ERA. In his last start on Tuesday against Milwaukee, Belisle allowed five runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings, but did not factor in the decision of his team's 11-5 win.

Belisle has faced the Phillies three times out of the bullpen, but has yet to receive a decision.

In the second game of this set on Saturday Cole Hamels was spectacular on the mound as he notched a career-high 15 strikeouts to help Philadelphia to a 4-1 win. Chase Utley hit a solo home run and drove in three runs and Aaron Rowand hit a solo home run for the Phillies, who have won two of their last three games.

Hamels (2-0) won his second straight start as he was charged with just one run and five hits in his first complete game in the majors. He also walked two batters.

Jeff Conine hit a solo home run and Eric Milton (0-3) lost his third straight start as he was charged with three runs -- two earned -- on six hits in six innings of work.

On the injury front Philadelphia played its third game in a row without NL MVP Ryan Howard, who has missed the past three contests with a sprained ligament in his left knee. He is expected to play today, though.

Philadelphia won four of its six matchups with the Reds last season and is 12-9 in the series since the start of the 2004 campaign. The Phillies have also won seven of their last nine in Cincy.