Cueto throws 8 strong innings, Reds take series with Twins
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Johnny Cueto made his best start yet since returning from a sore elbow, allowing four hits in eight innings, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Wednesday to take their interleague series.
The game started 12 hours after the Twins' 8-5 win on Tuesday night following a long weather delay. Minnesota played several rested backups in the quick turnaround, with Torii Hunter among those out of the lineup.
Cincinnati took two of three in the series.
Cueto (5-5) pitched into the eighth inning for the first time in six starts since he returned from an inflamed right elbow. He struck out eight, walked one and gave up an RBI groundout to Eddie Rosario.
Aroldis Chapman retired the side in the ninth for his 16th save in 17 chances.
The Reds are trying to go easy with Cueto, pushing him back a few days last week for extra rest. He's in the final year of his contract and is likely to be traded in July. Cueto got a standing ovation as he left the field after finishing the eighth.
Cincinnati scored on Joey Votto's sacrifice fly off Trevor May (4-7) and catcher Chris Herrmann's throwing error. May gave up six hits and fanned six in 6 1-3 innings, rebounding from the worst start of his career.
May had retired only one batter and had a throwing error while giving up six runs in a 10-4 loss to the Brewers on Friday.
Brandon Phillips led off the third with a double, advanced on May's wild pitch and scored on Votto's flyout.
May had walked only 15 batters all season, but walked Billy Hamilton and Phillips with one out in the fifth. Hamilton headed for third on a full-count pitch to Votto. It turned out to be ball four, but Herrmann threw to third base anyway. His high throw went into left field, allowing Hamilton to score easily for a 2-0 lead.
Brian Dozer led off the sixth with a double -- his AL-leading 44th extra-base hit -- and came around on a pair of groundouts.
