"You see him out running in between starts," Dusty Baker said. "You will see him running the stadium steps. Running, not on the bike inside but running outside in the heat. It has paid off for him. That's why he's going deep into games. He is just as strong at the end."
The Reds signed Cueto to a contract this winter for $27 million that will keep him under contract through 2014. The Reds also have an option for 2015. That may prove to be a bargain as the native of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic continues to establish himself as one of the best pitchers in the Major Leagues.
Cueto qualified for the Major League ERA lead at a stingy 1.88 with Wednesday's one-run, six hit performance against the Washington Nationals. With the Reds leading 2-0 and the bases loaded in the eighth inning, Baker allowed Cueto to bat. Yonder Alonso was in the on deck circle watching Paul Janish walk to load the bases but it was just for show. Cueto was going out to pitch the ninth with a chance to complete a shutout.
Ryan Zimmerman hit a home run on the first pitch by Cueto to cut the lead in half. In spite of some finger nail biting moments in the bottom of the ninth, Fracisco Cordero relieved Cueto.
Joey Votto hit his 20th home run of the season in the first inning, one of his two hits. Cueto made it seem like a 10-0 lead. Cueto pitched out of a jam in the fourth inning, that included three shattered Washington bats. Cueto was almost too good in that inning. He shattered the bat of Jayson Werth on a pitch that wasn't hit hard enough to turn a double play.
He then retired 17 of the 18 batters that he faced to cruise into the ninth inning.
The Reds built a threat in the eighth. Votto singled and advanced to third on a single by Jay Bruce. It was a golden opportunity for the Reds than turned more towards quartz as the inning wore on. Miguel Cairo hit a hard one-hopper to the mound that Sean Burnett stabbed. Burnett threw home to get Votto. Drew Stubbs walked and his speed on first produced the eventual winning run. Stubbs beat Danny Espinosa who was too late to force Stubbs at second but threw Ramon Hernandez. That put the Reds up 2-0.
After Zimmerman homered to get Washington close. Francisco Cordero finished them off in spite of loading the bases with one out to collect career save number 314. He tied Dick Nen for 16th place and preserve Cueto's ninth win in 14 decisions.
Cueto signed as an undrafted free agent in 2005 at the age of 19. His first year was rough. Cueto pitched for the Gulf Coast Reds and the Sarasota Reds that year and was 2-3 with a 4.78 ERA. In 2006 he was 15-3 with Dayton and Sarasota. He was 12-9 the next year pitching at Sarasota, Chattanooga and Louisville.
He had just four Triple A games at Louisville in 2007.
Cueto made the team out of spring training in 2008. He struck out 10 Arizona batters in his debut and allowed just a solo home run in eight innings. He lost three straight decisions after that.
He battled, control issues and a temper.
Cueto used to get upset and anxious when opposing hitters were on base. Now he coolly pitches out of trouble and doesn't try to strike out everybody. His ERA drops with his strike out total.
2008 158 strikeouts 4.81 ERA
2009 132 strikeouts 4.41 ERA
2010 135 strikeouts 3.64 ERA
in 2011 he has struck out just 78 in 120 innings with his MLB leading 1.88 ERA.
The Comeback Kids: Cincinnati Reds 2010 Championship Season
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