Johnny Cueto Goes Six Innings But Todd Helton Homers

Johnny Cueto is the first pitcher to pitch six innings and was the first to bat.

Cueto was not a sharp as he wanted to be but he is feeling no effects from the strained oblique that knocked him out of the Division Series against San Francisco.

Cueto gave up a double to Dexter Fowler, the first hitter of the game.  Fowler came around to score on two ground outs. Todd Helton hit a two-run home run.  Cueto allowed three runs on five hits and no walks.  He struck out five.

 "Cueto looked pretty good. He was animated because he wanted to be sharper," Reds' manager Dusty Baker said. ""He was kind of fighting himself. His stuff was good it was a matter of location."

Cueto is the only pitcher to hit this spring.  He was the only pitcher to bat March 4 against Arizona but was instructed not to swing the bat.  Baker and Arizona manager Kirk Gibson disagreed on the use of the designated hitter.

Now that Reds pitchers are going deeper in the game, the Reds want pitchers to start swinging the bat in games.  Cueto singled in his first at bat against Jeff Francis.

After the game, Cueto felt better about his work on Friday.

"I feel good," Cueto said. "I don't know how many pitches I had, 65-55, but I felt strong. I'm not feeling any pain. I'm ready for opening day. I've been working hard on my hitting."


Jeff Francis was a candidate for the Cincinnati rotation last spring. He exercised a clause in his contract that allowed him to be a free agent if he wasn't on the Reds' roster by a certain date. The Rockies' organization brought him back to the team for which he won 17 games in 2007

 "I was fighting for a job last year. I was still going out to get people out. There just was not a spot for me last year," Francis said.

Offensively, the Reds were less than prolific.

They managed just five hits and hit into three double plays.

"We hit into three double plays that six outs on three pitches," Baker said.  "We left some runners on thirdbase too.  It's frustrating."

Neftali Soto doubled with two outs in the first.  He left the game after that with a mildly strained quadricep.

Emmanuel Burris, Miguel Olivo and Cueto hit singles.

The Reds lone run scored after Jason Donald was hit by a pitch. Minor league infielder Bryson Smith forced Donald at second.  Smith scored on a triple by Derrick Robinson.

Burris and Donald are locked in a three-way battle for a job as the utility player with Cesar Izturis.

Baker assessed the competition before the game.

"Each brings something," Baker said.  "Burris has some things that is hard to find, speed and athleticism.  Izturis has slowed some but has very good hands.  Donald has hit well and has an advantage because he is already on the (40-man) roster.  You won't lose a player to put one of the others on it."

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