July 25, 2010

Let’s Sweep Those Astros!

The Cincinnati Reds destroyed the Houston Astros last night, behind another amazing performance by Johnny Cueto. Cueto moved his record to 10-2, giving the Reds two 10-game winners.

There was some concern that Cueto wouldn’t be able to make the start, since he was suffering from tonsilitis, but the 8 shutout innings showed that no bacterial infection can slow him down. (Although I suppose the antibiotics helped a bit, too.) In his 8 innings, Cueto struck out 6, walked 1, and allowed 4 hits.

He was over 100 pitches at the end of the 7th, but was sent out for the 8th anyway. And I have no problem with that. A starting pitcher should be able to throw 120 pitches every now and then, and Cueto’s been in the majors long enough that his endurance should be up. It might have been better to do it on a night when he wasn’t already sick, but the results are impressive.

Now, having dispatched the former Red-killer Roy Oswalt, the Reds turn to Wandy Rodriguez today at 2:05pm EDT. Mike Leake goes for the sweep for the Reds.

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