Johnny Cueto had his worst and shortest outing of the season Saturday in Chicago. His stomach had a disagreement with some chicken wings he ate at the team's hotel.
The 3 2/3 inning outing in which he allowed five earned runs, cost him the NL ERA lead and the Reds the game.
The budding Reds ace passed on chicken wings and rebounded with a strong seven inning, three-hit scoreless gem in which he made a meager two-run lead stand up.
Cueto left after throwing 120 pitches and could have gone longer had he not made a bad pitch to opposing starter, Jhoulys Chacin.
After two quick outs in the fifth, Chacin singled. Dexter Fowler followed with a hit and Mark Ellis walked bringing Carlos Gonzalez, who Cueto said was "Muy pelisgrosso".
"I just concentrated on not trying to overthrow," Cueto said.
Cueto struck out Gonzalez to end the threat.
"I didn't have any chicken wings today. I felt strong," Cueto said.
Baker pulled him although Cueto wanted to go another inning.
"Johnny was dealing," Baker said. "He had an easy inning going then he made a mistake to the pitcher. He's learning. He's pitching well while he's learning but today he learned that every batter counts. He learned how important it is to keep that lineup from turning over."
Chacin was very good.
The Reds put up two runs in the first after the first two batters were out and were silent at the plate the rest of the game.
Joey Votto doubled and scored on a single by Jay Bruce, who was 6-for-14 for the series with two home runs and six RBI.
Bruce scored on a throwing error that allowed Todd Frazier to reach base. Paul Janish hit a ball into the hole at shortstop. Jonathan Herrera fielded and made an acrobatic throw to nip Frazier.
"Chacin was tough," Baker said. "I was hoping that force at second didn't come back to haunt us."
Chacin and Cueto traded scoreless innings with Chacin getting a complete game that Colorado needed badly. The Rockies bullpen is beat up with mounting innings and a couple pitchers sore or overworked.
Aroldis Chapman, who has been bothered by a stiff neck allowed a walk and a single in the eighth but coaxed a double play, if you can say that a 99 mph pitch is coaxing. Gonzalez hit into his third double play in two games.
Francisco Cordero served up a fat pitch that Seth Smith hit out for his 12th home run leading off the ninth. It was Smith's third long ball of the series.
Cordero shook it off and completed his 22nd save. Cordero passed Tom Henke and stands alone in 17th place on the all-time saves list.
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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