The Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals meet Tuesday at Nationals Park in the second game of their 3-game series.

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The Cincinnati Reds have lost two straight games and are currently 52-49 and 3 1/2 games out of the National League Wild Card spot. Kiley McDaniel Jeff Passan from ESPN.com ranked their top 50 trade deadline candidates and two Reds pitchers were listed. Starting pitcher Nick Martinez was ranked 40th and closer Emilio Pagan was ranked 45th.

The Cincinnati Reds came out of the All-Star break, won two games and were just 1 1/2 games behind the final wild-card position

Reds fans have been attending games at a slightly slower pace than last year as they prepare for the season’s second half. But that’s likely to change.

Cincinnati Reds fan favorite and pitcher Tejay Antone threw his first live batting practice this week since his third Tommy John surgery. "First live batting practice," Antone wrote on Instagram. "2 K’s 1 GB and 1 PO. #brickbybrick "

The Reds pitcher is seeking a second opinion on a recently developed biceps injury after MRI results were “a little murky,” manager Terry Francona said.