Johnny Cueto is developing into an ace. That's no accident.
"This guy works hard," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He probably runs more than anyone on our team. He's learned how to work, how to get his endurance up. And he controls his emotions. Early in his career, he always had that one bad inning when his emotions would get out of whack. Now, he's learned to settled himself down."
Cueto threw a complete game, the fifth of his career, in the Reds' 6-1 win over the Pirates on Friday night. He allowed seven hits, walked none and struck out four. He raised his record to 4-0 and lowered his ERA to 1.31.
Cueto was proud of the complete game, during which he threw 110 pitches.
"This is what I want," he said. "I don't want this to be the last one. I want to keep throwing complete game, complete game. It feels good. A lot of my pitches were landing where I wanted."
Cueto struggled a bit in the fourth.
"We managed the innings when he wasn't as sharp," catcher Ryan Hanigan said. "Then the last three innings, he was just on point. He got stronger and settled down once we got a lead. He was strong as you can be."
Cueto was still throwing 94 mph in the ninth.
"I don't always evaluate on velocity," Hanigan said. "Just in terms of the location of his breaking ball, getting his changeup down, throwing to both side of the plate. He locked in it."
NOTES, QUOTES
Baker considers giving Frazier some outfield action
--INF/OF Todd Frazier has made all three of his starts at third base, but manager Dusty Baker is considering giving Frazier time in left. "I've thought about it," Baker said, "but I've got plenty of outfielders right now. I've got to give them a chance to succeed or fail before we start making those kind of moves. A lot depends on how (Miguel Cairo) comes back. It depends on the matchups I see on that day." Frazier is hitting .357 in 14 at-bats. Four of his five hits have come as a pinch hitter.
--INF Miguel Cairo (strained left hamstring) is a combined 0-for-6 through two rehab games for Class A Dayton, having played Thursday as the designated hitter and Friday at third base. He'll also play Saturday. "Then we'll make a call," manager Dusty Baker said.
--RHP J.J. Hoover has not allowed a run or a hit over three appearances and four innings since being called up for the first time. He's walked two and struck out three. "I'm definitely happy with how things have progressed," he said. "I've settled down and kept my good mechanics going."
--LHP Bill Bray, on disabled list with a strained groin, made only one rehab appearance for Class AAA Louisville before returning to Goodyear, Ariz., for extended spring training. He threw 20 pitches in an extended spring training game Friday. Bray had allowed two runs in one inning for Louisville last Sunday.
--CF Drew Stubbs snapped an 0-for-15 with a double in the third inning Friday. He then homered in the seventh inning.
BY THE NUMBERS: 505 -- Career doubles for 3B Scott Rolen after he hit one Friday. He is tied with Tony Perez for 49th all-time.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Scouts are signing more on the radar gun -- by how hard they throw. Nowadays, Greg Maddux might not have even been signed." -- Manager Dusty Baker, on the trend regarding pitching.
ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--LHP Bill Bray (strained left groin) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 19. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Louisville on April 29, but he moved back to extended spring training in Goodyear, Ariz., after one outing. He pitched an extended spring game May 4.
--INF Miguel Cairo (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 15. He began a rehab assignment with Class A Dayton on May 3, and he could be activated May 6 or May 7.
--RHP Nick Masset (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He had an MRI of his arm April 25, and he could be cleared to throw in early May.
--RHP Ryan Madson (Tommy John surgery in April 2012) went on the 60-day disabled list April 4. He is out for the season.
