Reds Take On Diamondbacks Johnny Cueto Makes His First Start

The Reds are at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick today.

Johnny Cueto will pitch for the first time since he walked off the mound in San Francisco eight pitches into the opening Division Series game.

Cueto may be limited to one inning but could pitch two, if his pitch count is low enough.  Clay Hensley, Daniel Corcino, Nick Christiani, Chad Rogers and Drew Hayes will follow Cueto.

Hayes has been in two games and made one pitch in each appearance.  He gave up a bases-loaded double in his first appearance but retired the only batter he faced on one pitch Sunday.

The Reds will send the following lineup to face Brandon McCarthy, who was 8-6 with a 3.24 ERA with Oakland last season:

Billy Hamilton CF
Brandon Phillips 2B
Joey Votto DH
Ryan Ludwick LF
Denis Phipps RF
Neftali Soto 1B
Jack Hannahan 3B
Miguel Olivo C
Jason Donald SS
Johnny Cueto P

Cueto will face these Diamondback hitters:

Adam Eaton CF
Martin Prado 3B
Aaron Hill 2B
Jason Kubel LF
Miguel Montero C
Cody Ross RF
Eric Chavez DH
Kila Ka'aihue 1B
Cliff Pennington SS
Brandon McCarthy P

McCarthy was hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of Erick Aybar of the Angels on September 5th last season.  He suffered an epidural hemorrhage, brain contusion and a skull fracture.

Dr. Peter Weber at California Pacific Medical Campus in San Francisco performed surgery that night. McCarthy was released on September 11.

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