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Into the Redsverse: Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto avoids injury in NLDS

By Travis Theiss

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 06: Manager Duster Baker #12 of the Cincinnati Reds talks to Johnny Cueto #47 of the Cincinnati Reds on the mound in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants during Game One of the National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 6, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 06: Manager Duster Baker #12 of the Cincinnati Reds talks to Johnny Cueto #47 of the Cincinnati Reds on the mound in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants during Game One of the National League Division Series at AT&T Park on October 6, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – OCTOBER 09: Manager Dusty Baker #12 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Reds skipper Dusty Baker pulls Johnny Cueto prior to Game 1

As the Reds prepared to take the field for Game 1 of the NLDS in San Francisco, pitching coach Bryan Price approached manager Dusty Baker. The two spoke about Johnny Cueto mentioning he felt a pain in his back during pre-game warmups. The two quickly spoke with Cueto to find out how he felt.

Cueto said he felt fine and was ready to pitch. Baker didn’t want to take a chance with his ace, so he decided to scratch Cueto from the start at the last minute. This was the first game a Reds starter had missed all season. Since the game was about to start, Baker decided to use Sam LeCure for the first few innings, then go with Mat Latos to pitch the majority of the game.

The move paid off as the Reds won 5-2. Even better news for the Reds, Cueto’s back pain wasn’t anything serious and with rest, management hoped he could pitch Game 4, if needed.

In Game 2, the Reds won 9-0 behind seven shutout innings by Bronson Arroyo. The Reds returned to Cincinnati for Game 3. Homer Bailey pitched seven innings and only gave up one run, but the Reds offense was stymied by Ryan Vogelsang. The game went to 10 innings and the Reds lost 2-1.

Game 4 arrived and the Reds were hoping Johnny Cueto was healthy enough to start. Dusty Baker and Bryan Price had Cueto throw earlier in the day to see if he was ready. He didn’t feel any discomfort in his back and was named the Game 4 starter.

Excited by the return of Cueto, the Reds offense came alive in the top of the first. Ryan Ludwick knocked in two runs with a double to give the Reds an early 2-0 lead. Cueto was dominant from the beginning. He struck out the side in the bottom of the first, third and fifth inning.

Cueto left at the end of the sixth inning with 12 strikeouts and the Reds leading 4-0. The bullpen took care of the rest, as the Reds won the game 5-0 to advance to the NLCS for the first time sine 1995. The Reds would have to defeat their arch-rival, the St. Louis Cardinals, to advance to World Series.

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