The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Don't over think this one, folks. Johnny Cueto did what aces do and turned in a dominant 1-run, 8 K, 7-inning game. Despite feeling some dizziness and nausea after his 2nd inning double, he turned in yet another Cuetotally Amazing performance. The only walk he surrendered allowed the only Mets run to score. Honorable mentions go to Joey Votto, natch, for his 3-4 performance, Zack Cozart (3-5 with a double) and Brandon Phillips who drove in the two decisive runs in this the Reds 6th straight victory.

Key Plays

• After a perfect 1st inning, Johnny Cueto got into a little bit of trouble in the bottom half of the second. JC got BABIP'd by three straight seeing eye singles to load the bases. With two outs, Cueto walked starting pitcher Chris Young to plate the game's first run. It took 36 pitches, but Johnny got out of the inning allowing only one run.
• In the bottom of the third, the collective buttholes of the Reds faithful puckered as Cueto called the trainer to the mound. Apparently Johnny just needed some mouth water, as he got the Mets to go one-two-three to get out of the inning unscathed.
• With two outs in the top of the fifth, the Reds got their rally on. Wolfgang Amadeus ripped a double down the line after a favorable ball three call. Wilson Valdez wiggled a single that juuust barely scored Cozart with the help of a perfectly executed slide. Chris Young, rightfully terrified, intentionally walked Votto, bringing BP to the plate. El Beeparino slapped a single through the right side scoring Valdez, and with Votto trying to advance to third, Lucas Duda bounced one in front of the normally sure-handed David Wright that ended up in the Reds dugout, scoring Votto. Reds lead 3-1.
• In the bottom of the 6th, Brandon Phillips did this.
• Jose Arredondo came in to replace Cueto in the 8th inning and got two quick outs. But after an infield single and a walk, Dusty called in the once and former closer Sean Marshall to get the four-out save. Marshall obliged and there was much rejoicing in Redsland.

Source: FanGraphs

Other Notes

• Cueto's double in the second inning was his first extra-base hit of his career.
• Zack Cozart is heating up. His line for the month of June is a tasty .356/.397/.525.
• This was the first time the Reds have swept the Mets in Queens since 2001.
• Johnny Cueto has 7 starts on the year in which he has allowed 1 run or less in 7 or more innings pitched.