Sometimes in elections, talk is cheap for a candidate with the voters. It’s better to prove yourself on the job and in the arena. Reds ace Johnny Cueto certainly accomplished that on Tuesday night vs. the Nationals.
In what was billed as a marquee duel of aces between Cueto and Nationals main man Max Scherzer, only Cueto came as advertised — or perhaps even better. He threw a two-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts as he dominated Washington during a 5-0 Reds victory. The timing could not be better as Cueto is seeking a spot in the Midsummer Classic via the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote.
“He was great, so great he could have fun,” said first baseman Joey Votto, who was 3-for-5 with three RBIs, while falling a triple shy of the cycle. “That’s a rarity in this game, where you’re playing so well you get to laugh and goof around on the mound. Watching him play, I hope the fans took notice and vote for him and send him to Cincinnati in front of the home fans.”
Cueto threw 122 pitches over his nine innings with one walk. He retired his final 15 batters in a row and 17 of 18. At one point, he struck out five consecutive batters. Meanwhile, Scherzer lasted only 4 2/3 innings and gave up all five runs in his worst outing of the season.
It was Cueto’s first complete game of the season and the first time in his career he notched at least 11 strikeouts with two or fewer hits.
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