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Cueto comes up big for Reds

Hurler pitches into 7th, giving up just one run, Nix and Phillips provide HR blasts in 9-3 victory.

St. Louis Cardinals' Joe Thurston, right, is safe at first base after narrowly avoiding the tag from Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 3, 2009, in St. Louis. Reds' Ramon Hernandez was charged with an error on the play after mishandling a grounder hit by Thurston.

Associated Press photo by Jeff Roberson St. Louis Cardinals' Joe Thurston, right, is safe at first base after narrowly avoiding the tag from Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 3, 2009, in St. Louis. Reds' Ramon Hernandez was charged with an error on the play after mishandling a grounder hit by Thurston.

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Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, June 3, 2009, in St. Louis.

Associated Press photo by Jeff Roberson Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, June 3, 2009, in St. Louis.

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By Hal McCoy, Staff Writer Updated 3:04 AM Thursday, June 4, 2009

ST. LOUIS — He was both Johnny-come-lately and Johnny-on-the-spot for the Cincinnati Reds on a chilly Wednesday night in Busch Stadium.

Johnny Cueto, winless in his last three starts, finally came up with a Hope Diamond, just in time for the Reds to take a two games to one lead in this four-game series, a 9-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Cueto held the Cardinals scoreless for six innings, then left in the seventh after giving up two hits and a run as the Reds won for the second time in six games on this trip to remain in third place, 2 ½ games out of first place.

Cueto's biggest pick-me-up came from left fielder Laynce Nix, who blasted two home runs, drove in four runs and made another WebGem catch that saved a run when the outcome was still in doubt. And there was support from Brandon Phillips — three hits, a homer, three RBIs.

Phillips is a Nix fan and said, "He's a great teammate and it is nice to have a left fielder who can both hit and catch the ball. He's out there holding his own. Honestly, I think he is underrated and it is all about a guy getting a chance. And he is taking advantage of the chance they are giving him."

And Phillips was the head cheerleader for Cueto.

"The night though starts with Johnny Cueto. He pitched a lights out game," said Phillips. "We were behind him catching the ball and hitting the ball."

Progress was made by the Reds in the first inning when Cueto prevented the Cardinals from scoring a run after opponents scored in the first inning in six straight games.

Then the Reds took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second against former teammate Kyle Lohse when Nix drilled a 414-foot home run, his fifth.

Lohse gave up a bunt single to start the third to Cueto, Cueto's third bunt hit this season. Lohse left at that point with tightness in his pitching forearm, replaced by Blaine Boyer.

Jerry Hairston Jr.'s grounder went through third baseman Joe Thurston's legs like a croquet wicket, putting two on with no outs. Chris Dickerson grounded into a double play, but Phillips singled to score Cueto for a 2-0 lead.

Phillips then stole second and stole third and scored on Ramon Herandez's line single to center to make it 3-0 and said, "That's the thing I'm happiest about tonight. I've never stolen a base on (catcher) Yadier Molina. So I'm happy about that."

Cueto, perhaps the best bunter on the team, helped himself to another run in the fourth after Paul Janish beat an infield single. Cueto bunted Janish to second and he scored on Hairston's single. All four runs scored with two outs.

The Cardinals scored off Cueto in the seventh and chased him from the game on back-to-back doubles by pinch-hitter Colby Rasmus and Brendan Ryan.

Nix delivered his three-run shot in the eighth and Phillips put the exclamation point on it in the ninth with his two-run rip.

"Just to get those runs in was big," Nix said of his homer that took it from 4-1 to 7-1. "I was just trying to get the bat on the ball to get at least one run. Happy to get that done (three runs).

For the last three years, Nix occupied a minor-league uniform, playing only 30 major-league games in three years for Milwaukee, while hitting 56 homers in the minors and only one in the majors. He has six now for the Reds.

"I had quite a few homers in the minors, so it isn't like I didn't hit any for a long time," he said. "But it is good to get off to a good start."

His catch was a backhander over his head after a long run with a runner on second when the Reds led, 4-0, and he said, "That kept them from getting a rally going and that might have been as important as getting the second home run."

Today’s game

Who: Reds (Harang 5-5) at Cardinals (Carpenter 3-0)

When: 8:15 p.m.

TV: FS Ohio

Radio: WONE-AM (980); WLW-AM (700)

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"Cueto Comes up Big for Reds." That's an article you will never see written about Micah Owings. Owings needs to be taken out of the rotation if the Reds want to keep winning. All he does is pitch batting practice to the opposing teams. A 5.00+ ERA and no mental toughness make him nothing but a mediocre #5 starter. I'm sure he can have a great career as a pitcher in the minor leagues, but not in the majors. Sorry.

Bobby
5:03 AM, 6/5/2009

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Consider this. Votto on DL. Volquez on DL. Taveras hurting. Harang isn't the ace of the staff anymore. Which Arroyo will show up when he pitches. Bruce ain't hitting. And we're 2 1/2 games back. Not too bad. Wait till we get healthy again.

Joe
7:08 PM, 6/4/2009

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If the Reds can win this fourth game today, that would salvage the road trip at 3-4 -- pretty good after the lousy 0-3 start in Milwaukee. Like Joe, I don't expect the Reds to keep this up throughout the season. But, unlike Joe, I sure hope they do!

Bob540
2:23 PM, 6/4/2009

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Is a trade for Matt Holliday coming?

Scott
12:02 PM, 6/4/2009

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But, wait a minute, Nix doesn't have any proof on the back of his bubble gum card, that he should be allowed to start in the Major leagues. So, just because he and Dickerson look like they belong, doesn't mean we should believe our eyes! Better not play anyone who doesn't have a lengthy bubble gum card history-that would be sacrilege.Go Nix! Go Backups, who are better than starters!

wizard
9:19 AM, 6/4/2009

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