Walt Jocketty signed Cueto to an extended contract over the winter. Cueto is proving worthy. He allowed fewer than three runs in his eighth straight outing and pitched seven innings. The one run the Dodgers scored off him was unearned. The run scored on a double play relay that got away. Brandon Phillips was charged with the error but I believe Votto should have been charged. Regardless, Dee Gordon scored from second on the play in the first inning.
Clayton Kershaw, another young pitcher, matched Cueto for seven innings.
Scott Rollen delivered with two outs and runners on first and second. Drew Stubbs, who tends to frustrate fans with frequent strike outs, scored on Rolen's hit into the left field corner. Jay Bruce wasn't so lucky. Tony Gwyn Jr. and Gordon executed a perfect relay to nip Bruce at the plate, compliments of a good block by catcher, Rod Barajas. It was a good call by Mark Berry to send him with two outs. Tip your cap to the Dodgers defense.
Cueto not only shut down the Dodgers and wore out lefthanded hitting Andre Ethier, turned in a key play by using his head. Matt Kemp, who swiped the NL home run lead from Jay Bruce this week, singled. With Votto moving towards the hole, Kemp took an extra wide turn. Cueto, covering first on the ground ball to the right side, stayed with the play and caught Kemp in a rundown.
In the eighth the Reds, happy to bid Kershaw adieu began a mini rally to take the lead. Super sub, Miguel Cairo, singled off Blake Hawksworth, while batting for Cueto. Stubbs, a below average bunter, layed down a sacrifice. Phillips singled hard to left. Cairo held third. Don Mattingly played the percentage and summoned lefty, Scott Elbert, to face Votto. The reigning MVP went low in the strike zone to rifle a run scoring single to put the Reds ahead.
Logan Ondrusek pitched a scoreless eighth.
Stubbs delivered an insurance run in the ninth with his third hit of the game. In addition to three hits and a sacrifice, Stubbs stole two bases.
Francisco Cordero came on for a dramatic bottom of the ninth, seeking career save 304 and a tie for 19th all-time with former Red, Jeff Montgomery.
Cordero got the first out but walked Kemp for the second night in a row. Kemp drew attention from Cordero but stole second anyway. James Loney singled Kemp home. Trent Oeltjen ran for Loney and stole second standing up as Cordero struck out pinch hitter Casey Blake. Cordero nailed it down for Cueto by getting Barajas to pop up.
The Reds starting pitchers pitched at least seven innings for the ninth straight game. The rested bullpen has been sharper because of it. The Reds insured a rare winning west coast road trip. Cincinnati picked up a game against both Milwaukee and St. Louis in the process.
PS
I was critical of Thom Brennaman for calling plays too early. On this night he resisted the temptation to say "This will end it." as soon as Barajas popped the ball up to short to end the game. He showed patience and waited until Janish tucked it away before declaring the game over. Good job, Thom
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