Cueto Goes Down In Exhibition Game

Johnny Cueto laid on the ground for a few seconds after making an awkward throw home in the first inning of the Reds' exhibition game against Arizona.

Adam Eaton hit an infield single off Cueto and Cliff Pennington walked.  As Eric Chavez struck out, Eaton and Pennington pulled a double steal.  Jason Kubel rolled a check-swing grounder up the first base line.  Cueto fielded and threw home landing in a sprawled position on the ground.

Trainer Steve Bauman checked on Cueto, who threw a couple pitches to make sure he was ok.

He then turned a comeback grounder to the mound into a double play.

Zack Cozart hit a long home run off Brandon McCarthy in the Reds' first.

Cueto finished strong with three innings, the first Red pitcher to throw more than two.  He allowed one run on a hit and a walk. He struck out four and was involved in four defensive plays with no ill effects from the first inning play.

"I was trying to cut the run off at home plate and I slipped.  It's
not a problem," Cueto said. "I feel pretty good. I had to concentrate on pitching my game after
the first two batters."

Dusty Baker was expecting to use the designated hitter rule when he left Goodyear for the trip to Scottsdale to let Shin-Soo Choo get some at-bats without taking the field.  Choo has been bothered by  tight quadriceps.   Apparently, Kirk Gibson, the Diamondback's manager, refused permission for the Reds to use the DH.

Cueto hit ninth but was ordered to keep the bat on his shoulder.

I was surprised I had to bat, I was not allowed to swing," Cueto said.

Cueto appears to be a little bit lighter this spring.

"I am usually 214 lbs," Cueto said.  "I came in (to spring training) at 209 and lost two pounds since we started.  I feel better at 214.  I have to eat some rice and beans to
get back there."

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