The Reds have lost two straight, and Sunday's 7-6 loss to Detroit was something of a debacle. The bullpen blew a 6-2 lead in eighth.
But they've got the right guy going Tuesday to turn it around. Johnny Cueto will start Tuesday's series opener against Cleveland.
"He's solid every outing," Ryan Ludwick said. "Every time he takes the mound, you feel like you have a good shot to win. There have been other guys on other teams I've played behind that you feel like that. That's his job. He's the ace of this staff. Not to put extra pressure on him, but that's what he's supposed to do."
Cueto (6-3) snapped a two-game losing streak his last time out.
He went 7 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on six hits to beat Pittsburgh 5-4. He walked one and struck out six. He pitched better than his line. Cueto left with the score 5-1 after throwing 118 pitches.
Cueto has had quality starts in nine of 12 outings. He's also been successful against the American League in general and the Indians in particular. Cueto is 7-3 with a 3.09 ERA in interleague play. He's 2-0 with a 2.49 ERA against the Indians.
The Reds have won all four of his starts against the Indians.
NOTES, QUOTES
Frazier's numbers have spiked up after dry spell
--3B Todd Frazier is hitting .333 with two home runs and nine RBI in his last eight games. However, Frazier is hitting only .253 since Scott Rolen went on the disabled list May 12.
--1B Joey Votto's 15-game hitting streak ended Saturday against Detroit with an 0-for-4. Votto didn't reach base at all. That's only the fourth time this season he has failed to do so.
--SS Zack Cozart has hits in six of the last eight games. He's 12-for-36 with two home runs over that period.
--RHP Nick Trevieso, the club's top pick in the draft, and the Reds are moving forward on a deal. "It's not done," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "But we hope to have it done this week." Trevieso was the 14th pick overall.
--RHP Alfredo Simon has allowed only two earned runs over his last 11 appearances and 21 2/3 innings.
BY THE NUMBERS: 115,062 -- That's what the three-game series with Detroit drew to Great American Ball Park.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Right now it doesn't mean anything. We're trying to win games and we came up a little short today. That's the bottom line." -- Third baseman Todd Frazier on his 2-for-4, 4-RBI night in Sunday's 7-6 loss to Detroit
ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--CF Drew Stubbs (strained oblique) was injured swinging at a pitch June 5, and he didn't play June 6-10. He is day-to-day.
--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 resumed throwing May 28, and he threw a bullpen session June 1. He made rehab appearances for Class A Dayton on June 9 and June 11.
--RHP Nick Masset (right shoulder inflammation) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26. He threw on flat ground May 24 for the first time and now is throwing 120 feet. There is no timetable for his return.
--3B Scott Rolen (strained left shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list May 12. On June 6, he took batting practice on the field for the first time since he was injured. There is no timetable for his return.
--RHP Ryan Madson (Tommy John surgery in April 2012) went on the 60-day disabled list April 4. He is out for the season.
