Johnny Cueto is Back in the Swing of Things

Wednesday's line: GS, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, W, CBO / 2-2

Not many teams will be able to lay claim to shutting out the Chicago Cubs over the 2009 season. 

There are just too many bats, too many solid base runners, and too much talent to hold the Lovable Losers down for six innings, much less nine. 

However, sophomore pitcher Johnny Cueto did just that, striking out three Cubs in seven innings.  He also managed to help his own cause, pushing a bunt single up the right side of the infield to move Alex Gonzalez to third and lead to the Reds’ first run of the contest.

He would make it hold up, pitching out of jams in the fourth and fifth innings. He made the way for Francisco Cordero to earn his 100th National League save and become the 11th pitcher in MLB history to record at least 100 saves in both leagues.

This is a good thing for the young pitcher, who waited until mid-June last year to notch his first win on the road, and who has done his part to help close out the longest road trip of the season with (potentially) a 7-3 record. He has earned a strong claim to the title “staff ace,” despite pitching in the No. 2 spot in the rotation.

Cueto shuts down Cubs [John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer]

Mike Anderson, The Statline Report