Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto was masterful during a 4-0 win Wednesday against the Pirates. Cueto struck out a career-high 12 batters during a complete-game shutout.
Cueto (1-2) threw 71 of 107 pitches for strikes, while allowing just three hits and no walks in his third career shutout. He lowered his ERA to 1.50.
Cueto started the game with a strikeout of Jose Tabata on the way to the first of six 1-2-3 innings. He struck out miltiple batters in the second, fourth, eighth and ninth innings. The only hits he allowed were Tony Sanchez's infield single in the third, Andrew McCutchen's double in the fourth and Jordy Mercer's infield single in the fifth.
The right-handed hurler, who hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any of his four starts, is scheduled to be back on the hill Tuesday in a rematch with the Pirates.
"Welcome back, Johnny Cueto," manager Bryan Price said. "He's been great his first three starts, and he was dominant today."