NewsCueto dominates in series finale
Right-hander strikes out nine as Reds cruise by Bucs
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
05/03/09 5:37 PM ET
PITTSBURGH -- Manager Dusty Baker always places high importance on getaway day victories. Who better for the Reds to earn one right now than Johnny Cueto? Aided by Cueto's sensational career-best eight-inning performance, the Reds claimed two of three in their series from the Pirates on Sunday with a 5-0 blanking in the finale. "That was a great job by Johnny," Baker said. It's been a great week for the pitching staff, which has given Cincinnati its third shutout in the last four games. Reds starters have worked eight innings in each of those wins. No Pirates hitters reached second base against Cueto, who set the dominant tone to quiet the Pirates with just four hits and a walk allowed. He was one shy of a career high with nine strikeouts. "Cueto just never gave us a chance," Pirates manager John Russell said. "They've got a good rotation. They're going to beat some teams because of their rotation." After Nyjer Morgan led off with a single to begin the first inning, he was caught stealing and Cueto struck out the next three batters he faced. "He was locating his fastball well," Baker said. "He had a good tempo. Whenever he got behind, he'd back off and just concentrate a little harder and relax and throw strikes. He had a number of three-ball counts where he had to come back and throw strikes. That's just a matter of concentration and desire right there." After Andy LaRoche's infield hit to the shortstop with two outs in the Pirates' second, Cueto retired 13 of his next 14 batters until Nate McLouth's leadoff single in the seventh. McLouth was immediately erased when Adam LaRoche grounded into a double play. In five starts this season, Cueto is 2-1 and his 1.65 ERA is by far the lowest on the Reds rotation. Over his last three games, totaling 22 innings, he's given up all of one run and 15 hits. Also quite important, he's allowed no more than one walk in any of those games. "He came right after us," said LaRoche. "He threw strikes. He was pounding in and mixing it up away. When you command the zone like he did today, you're going to get results. Cueto's previous two starts featured a combined eight strikeouts. "If you've seen his last three games, the big pitch for him is his fastball control," Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez said. "It's down and on both sides of the plate with the two-seamer and four-seamer. He got ahead of the hitters quick. They put the ball in play early." The Reds needed only seven hits to beat the Pirates, but they made them count. Jay Bruce gave the Reds a 1-0 lead when he led off the second inning with his sixth home run of the season, a shot into the right-field seats. Pirates starter Jeff Karstens (1-1) lacked command in his outing and the Reds took advantage of it in the top of the third, earning three walks to load the bases with one out. Hernandez cleared the basepaths with a three-run single to right field that made it 4-0. To draw a throw home, Hernandez had to hesitate at first base and was thrown out at second base to end the inning. "I was trying to have a good at-bat," said Hernandez, who was 1-for-5 in Saturday's loss. "Last night for me was a terrible game. I was trying to help my team win the game, especially win the series. At least it came out right. That's what Cueto needed." Cueto was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the top of the ninth inning after he had thrown 110 pitches. Arthur Rhodes finished the game and nabbed the final three outs in order. "Johnny wanted to go back out, but we thought that was enough especially since we wanted him sharp for his next start against the Cardinals," Baker said. "That's why we got him out of there." The charter flight to South Florida could be bumpy, the food could be stale and the drinks warm, but none of that will matter as much to Baker. The second leg of the trip has already started the right way. With a 9-4 record on the road this season, and 13-11 overall, the Reds also claimed their first four road series as they head south for a two-game set against the Marlins. On getaway days, the Reds are 5-1 this season. Most of the time those wins mean series win -- just like on Sunday. "Those getaway day victories are beautiful things," Baker said.Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
