07-25-2010, 10:47 AM
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100...irst-place
What was likely Roy Oswalt's final start against the Reds as an Astro was definitely his worst.
The guy he was pitching against, Johnny Cueto, did a spot-on imitation of an ace, however.
Cueto pitched eight shutout innings to beat Oswalt and the Houston Astros 7-0 Saturday night before a crowd of 31,552 at Minute Maid Park.
⢠Photos: Reds 7, Astros 0
⢠Box score
The victory put the Reds back into first place in the National League Central, a half game ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals, who lost 6-5 to the Chicago Cubs Saturday afternoon.
Cueto, who nearly scratched because of illness, pitched like a perfectly healthy man. Cueto allowed only four hits, walked one and struck out five.
âIâve seen it a number of times,â Baker said. âGuys relax and donât overthrow. He was nice and easy tonight.â
Cueto is quietly having a great year: He improved to 10-2 and lowered his ERA to 3.18.
âWe appreciate what heâs done,â Baker said. âWe appreciate the progress heâs made. We think heâs right on course to be an outstanding pitcher. His record is indicative of that this year. Heâs learned to compose himself. Heâs learned to back off, instead of going all out all the time.â
Cueto was dealing with a bit of tonsillitis. It got to the point where the Reds brought in Sam LeCure in case Cueto couldnât go.
âIt didnât affect me,â Cueto said. âI was thinking about positive stuff. I knew I needed to pitch good because the team is playing good right now.â
Oswalt, the subject of rampant trade speculation, went five innings and allowed six runs on nine hits. He walked one and struck three.
What was likely Roy Oswalt's final start against the Reds as an Astro was definitely his worst.
The guy he was pitching against, Johnny Cueto, did a spot-on imitation of an ace, however.
Cueto pitched eight shutout innings to beat Oswalt and the Houston Astros 7-0 Saturday night before a crowd of 31,552 at Minute Maid Park.
⢠Photos: Reds 7, Astros 0
⢠Box score
The victory put the Reds back into first place in the National League Central, a half game ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals, who lost 6-5 to the Chicago Cubs Saturday afternoon.
Cueto, who nearly scratched because of illness, pitched like a perfectly healthy man. Cueto allowed only four hits, walked one and struck out five.
âIâve seen it a number of times,â Baker said. âGuys relax and donât overthrow. He was nice and easy tonight.â
Cueto is quietly having a great year: He improved to 10-2 and lowered his ERA to 3.18.
âWe appreciate what heâs done,â Baker said. âWe appreciate the progress heâs made. We think heâs right on course to be an outstanding pitcher. His record is indicative of that this year. Heâs learned to compose himself. Heâs learned to back off, instead of going all out all the time.â
Cueto was dealing with a bit of tonsillitis. It got to the point where the Reds brought in Sam LeCure in case Cueto couldnât go.
âIt didnât affect me,â Cueto said. âI was thinking about positive stuff. I knew I needed to pitch good because the team is playing good right now.â
Oswalt, the subject of rampant trade speculation, went five innings and allowed six runs on nine hits. He walked one and struck three.