Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto finally stumbled Tuesday, in a 9-4 loss to the Nationals.
Cueto, who had opened the season with nine starts of seven innings or more and two or fewer runs allowed, couldn't make it through the sixth inning this time around. He actually pitched well up to that point, limiting the Nationals to two unearned runs in the first five innings.
Cueto fell apart in the sixth, however, allowing six of the seven batters he faced to reach safely, including two on hit-by-pitches. All six batters came around to score, including two inherited by the reliever, as he allowed a season-high six earned runs.
Cueto was ultimately charged with eight runs -- six earned -- on six hits and no walks. He struck out six on 94 pitches en route to the loss, dropping him to 4-3 on the season. Cueto still carries a stellar 1.86 ERA into his next start, set for Monday against the Dodgers.