The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Oh yeah, Johnny Cueto was his acin' best this afternoon, throwing seven strong innings with nine strikeouts, one walk, and only three hits allowed. He also knocked in a pair of runs. Honorable mentions go to Todd Frazier and Jay Bruce who both went 2-4 with a double apiece, Scott Rolen who was on base three times, and Brandon Phillips who hit a monster home run off the batter's eye in CF.

Key Plays

Neither team threatened until the 4th, as both Cueto and Twins' starter Brian Duensing were rock solid the first time through the order. The Reds ran Duensing from the game before he could record an out in the 4th though as Joey Votto lead off the inning with a walk, Phillips homered, Bruce singled, and Rolen doubled. After Frazier popped out, Hanigan was intentionally walked so Cueto could sac bunt Rolen in to score. Reds lead 4-0.

Cueto drove in another run in the 6th on a bases loaded ground out. They tacked on one to grow on in the 8th when Bruce doubled, Rolen walked, and Trevor Plouffe'd it. Redlegs win, 6-0.

Source: FanGraphs

Other Notes

It was Hall of Fame induction day at the ol' ball orchard today, with old timer John Reilly, Big Red Machinist Dan Driessen, and The Mayor Sean Casey getting plaques. If we are to take him literally, Casey had 815 brothers in attendance.

Cueto's nine strikeouts was a season-high for him. It seems strange to me, but Cueto has only notched double-digit Ks three times in his career.

The Reds 5-6-7 hitters were a collective 6-11.

Since Rolen returned from the DL, he is a hottish 7-18. The team is 1-4, though. #ScottRolensBizzarroReds

The Redlegs go for the series win tomorrow at 1:10 with Mat Latos climbing the turned-over kiddy pool.