Reds 2, Rockies 1
Johnny Cueto struck out nine in seven scoreless innings to outduel Jhoulys Chacin and lead the host Cincinnati Reds to a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday afternoon.
Jay Bruce drove in the first run and scored the second for the Reds, who earned a split of the four-game series to improve to 5-12 against losing teams since the All-Star break. Cincinnati will not play another winning team until hosting Philadelphia in the final series of August.
Coming off his shortest outing of the season at Chicago last Saturday, Cueto dominated right from the start against the Rockies, allowing just one hit through the first four innings. The righthander loaded the bases on two hits and a walk in the fifth but escaped the jam by striking out Carlos Gonzalez.
Cueto (8-5) finished with three hits and two walks allowed.
Aroldis Chapman pitched the eighth and Francisco Cordero allowed a run in the ninth on Seth Smith’s solo homer but held the lead for his 22nd save.
Chacin (9-9) was charged with two runs - both scored in the first inning - and six hits while striking out nine over eight frames.