The pitching duel was compelling.
Chris Carpenter, who had no complaints about the baseball being slick, handled every Red in the lineup, Joey Votto notwithstanding.
Cincinnati had two shots to score. St. Louis had one, limited by Cueto, who went the distance in a losing effort for the second time this season. He lost his last complete game against Atlanta when he gave up a two-run home run. This time an infield hit was the difference..
St. Louis scored. Cincinnati did not.
Votto and Scott Rolen singled with two outs in the first inning but Carpenter got All-Star Jay Bruce to fly out to right.
The next time the Reds put two on. Ramon Hernandez walked and Drew Stubbs singled with one out. Edgar Renteria hit a ball over Jon Jay's head. Jay raced back to make the catch. Hernandez read it as a hit and played it half way. Cueto grounded out.
St. Louis got the leadoff hitter aboard in the eighth. Colby Rasmus singled. Yadier Molina tried to sacrifice but got two strikes. Yet Molina after taking a full swing and fouling off a pitch. Expecting a fastball, Molina bunted hard to Cueto, who bobbled the ball. He had no play at second and threw to Votto to retire Molina.
Skip Schumacher flied to deep center. Rasmus, faster than Hernandez and with an easier play to read, advanced to third base. Carpenter gave way to pinch hitter, Mark Hamilton. Cueto put him in a whole and buried a inside pitch the Hamilton could do little with. The little he did do turned out to be the difference in the game.
The squibbed ball stayed fair and took a weird bounce that crossed third base. Rolen made a great stop in foul territory, got off his knees and threw to Votto. Hamilton dove to beat the throw by an instant and Rasmus scored.
Fernando Salas closed the Reds out in the ninth.
It was the second time this week in a game that Cueto pitched that a good pitch cost the Reds a game.
Against Tampa Bay, Bill Bray, made his pitch to Johnny Damon. Damon blooped the ball between three fielders that scored put the Reds behind in the eighth On Monday, Cueto's pitch got a weak ground ball but again the placement cost the Reds the game.
In Tampa Bruce tied the game with a home run, only to have Evan Longoria answer with a home run in the bottom of the ninth.
This time Bruce, who was robbed of a possible home run by Jay, struck out.
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
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