Cueto leads the Reds staff with a tidy 1.65 ERA

Reds # 4 starter Johnny Cueto was lights out today in Pittsburgh, going eight shutout innings with nine strikeouts.  The 5-0 Reds win was their second shutout of the series, and their fifth shutout on the season.  The Reds had six shutouts total in 2008.  Offensive highlights included Jay Bruce’s sixth home run of the year and a bases clearing single by Ramon Hernandez in the third inning.

On the same day the Pittsburgh Marathon returned to the Steel City, Cueto nearly went the distance for the Reds second complete game of the season.  Arthur Rhodes did what he usually does:  throw a ton of fastballs and not allow a run.  Most importantly for Cueto, he has walked no more than one batter in each of his last three starts.  His WHIP was 1.41 last year.  This year?  Down considerably to 1.18.  Opponents batting average is also down over 30 points from last season (.264 vs. .231).

Reds head to Miami on Monday and Tuesday before a starting a five-game homestand.  Milwaukee visits GABP on Wednesday and Thursday, and the St. Louis Cardinals roll into town for an early season showdown over the weekend.