DaytonDailyNews.com

SARASOTA, Fla. — Johnny Cueto, pitching against mostly the starting lineup of the Boston Red Sox, was in mow-'em-down mode.

In his six innings Wednesday, he faced the minimum 18 batters — two Bosox singled but were wiped out on double plays. And he struck out five.

"Everything was working — fastball, change-up, slider, sinker," said Cueto, who threw 69 pitches (48 strikes), then went to the bullpen and threw 20 more.

After his 9-14 record last year, the 23-year-old right-hander is ready to move onward and upward.

"I'm more comfortable," the former Dayton Dragon said. "I have the big-league experience and I thought I was good last year and I know the hitters better."

Closer Francisco "Coco" Cordero, interpreting for Cueto, smiled and said, "I'm going to take his word for it when he says he's better."

Catcher Ramon Hernandez was impressed with Cueto's first-pitch strikes.

"He was pretty good, having good control and ahead of the hitters almost every time," Hernandez said. "When he is ahead of the hitters, he makes them chase more pitches. The key for him is pitching ahead, throwing and locating all his pitches in any count."

Protecting the noggin

Jerry Hairston Jr., leadoff off every inning against Louisville (AAA), batted six times and had a hit, two walks, "and one guy hit me in the dome (head).

"Well, not really. It was headed for my head, but I deflected it with my shoulder. I had to protect my money-maker. I could see my broadcasting career flash before my eyes."

Owings over Bailey?

They say this doesn't mean anything, but it most likely does: Micah Owings pitches today against the Twins while Homer Bailey pitches today in a minor-league game.

That probably means Owings is the No. 5 starter and the question remaining is whether to keep Bailey for the bullpen and long relief or whether to send him to Class AAA Louisville to keep him on a starter's regimen.

Injury/illness report

• Shortstop Alex Gonzalez used Tuesday's off day to visit his physical therapist in Florida and remains day-to-day with his mild hamstring strain.

• Hairston lost 12 pounds (193 to 181) with the flu. "That kept me in bed in Arizona for a week," he said, referring to his time with Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. But he DHed in a minor-league game Wednesday and will be in the Reds lineup today.

• Edwin Encarnacion missed his second straight game with a sore shoulder, "but he is much better and he'll probably play Friday," manager Dusty Baker said.

• Brandon Phillips missed another game Wednesday, recovering from the flu, but probably will play today, and said "Good thing you didn't come around me the last few days or I might have gotten something on your paper."

Quote of the day

Joey Votto to Adam Rosales after Rosales missed a couple of ground balls during infield practice: "Just pretend you play on the Japanese team and you'll make every play."