The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Johnny Cueto. Period.

The Reds' Ace threw a complete game, allowing only 1 run - in the first inning - while dominating the Indians batters tonight. Cueto threw 122 pitches, walked no one, hit no one, struck out 7, and allowed only 6 hits (only one of which was for extra bases). That's dominant.

Honorable mention due to Joey Votto, who was his vottomatic self while 2 for 4 with a HR and 3 RBI; Wilson Valdez, who went 3 for 5 in a spot start for Zack Cozart; and Jay Bruce and Todd Frazier, both of whom came up with hits/walks/RBIs in the middle of the order.

Key Plays

• It looked as if Cleveland may get off to the hot start needed to defeat these Reds, as Shin-Soo Choo led off the game with a double, and scored two batters later on a Jason Kipnis single. Ultimately, Cueto didn't care, but the Indians held an early 1-0 lead.
• The Reds got on the board in the bottom of the 5th. Chris Heisey led off with a single, and stole second while Valdez struck out. Votto was walked, Phillips singled to load the bases, and Jay Bruce hit a sac fly. Game tied, 1-1.
• In the bottom of the 7th, Wilson Valdez singled, and Joey Votto followed with a vintage vottosmash. Reds lead, 3-1.
• Ryan Hanigan, Ryan Ludwick, Wilson Valdez, bad Indians defense, and Joey Votto did what they do in a small-ball effort in the 8th, and the Reds scored 4. Reds win, 7-1!
• 

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

• This was just the 2nd win in the last 8 vs. the Indians.
• Look at the OPS's of the first two batters in the lineup (who each got 5 ABs)...then look at the OPS's of the last 6 position players (who all didn't)...sigh. That's how you score 7 runs though, folks!
• Dusty made no substitutions tonight - not a relief pitcher, pinch hitter nor defensive replacement - which was fitting after a game in which he threw the bullpen at the Tigers.
  
• This was Wilson Valdez's second three-hit game of the season. He's only had hits in 8 of 22 games in which he's had a plate appearance.
• Tonight featured unlikely hits from both starting pitchers. Gomez's was the first of his career.
• Two of the best SP's to change teams this offseason will square off tomorrow night, as Derek Lowe will face Mat Latos. Gametime is 7:10pm EST. Turn on, tune in, and drop out!