Major League Baseball

Cueto's layoff doesn't bother Baker

Published Oct. 9, 2010 11:07 a.m. ET

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Johnny Cueto hasn't thrown a baseball in anger since Sept. 29, but Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker expressed no concern that the righthander would be affected by the long layoff when he takes the mound Sunday against the Phillies in Game 3 of the National League division series at Great American Ball Park.

"He's learned how to get his work in in the bullpen," Baker said before Game 2 Friday at Citizens Bank Park. "He works hard. He runs a lot. Even though he's still very young and hasn't been here very long, he really knows himself and he knows his body. So I think he'll be outstanding when we get back home."

Cueto, 24, pitched well in his two starts against the Phillies this season, allowing two earned runs over 15 innings. He picked up a 7-3 win at Citizens Bank Park June 28 by holding the Phillies to one run over eight innings. He had a no-decision July 8 in Cincinnati despite going seven innings and giving up two runs, one earned, in the Phillies' 4-3 win in 12 innings.

Morgan's impact Named as a special adviser to the Reds in April, Joe Morgan was in the Cincinnati clubhouse Wednesday dispensing advice on how to handle the demands of postseason baseball.

"It's an honor," said second baseman Brandon Phillips, who homered, singled, and doubled in his first three at-bats Friday against Roy Oswalt. "A Hall of Famer, back with the same team he played for, you know, just having him around and going around, talking to certain people about key situations. It's not about what you did during the regular season, it's about what you do right now."

Morgan's duties include assisting in player development and organizational philosophy. His playing career lasted 22 seasons, including eight with the Reds from 1972 to '79 - the era of the Big Red Machine. He was with the Phillies in 1983.

Extra bases Baker said the boisterous Phillies crowd had no impact on the Reds in Game 1. The problem was the tall righthander on the mound. "I don't think we were affected at all by this crowd. We were affected by Doc Halladay," he said. "And Doc affected the crowd. That's how it went." . . . Shortstop Orlando Cabrera left Friday's game in the fifth inning after aggravating an injury to his left side. After Halladay's no-hitter, Cabrera said the righthander was helped by what he considered a generous strike zone by home-plate umpire John Hirschbeck. In return, Cabrera was booed when he stepped to the plate.

Contact staff writer Ray Parrillo at 215-854-2743 or rparrillo@phillynews.com.

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