Mr. Cuetohead, and his bucket of parts. Reds win, 3-2.

Joe Nuxhall MemoriaL Honorary Star of the Game

Johnny Cueto.  It's really satisfying to see Cueto take this next step in his development as a pitcher.  The Reds have never been particularly good at creating homegrown aces, so Cueto's name might float up the list somewhat by default, but that's not to take anything away from the job he's doing.  He pitched seven innings, giving up only one unearned run in the first, five hits, one walk, and striking out five.  Honorable mentions go to Drew Stubbs (three hits, two stolen bases, a run and an RBI), and Joey Votto (clutch RBI).

Key Plays

• The first inning affects even the mighty Cueto as he started this affair by giving up a single to Dee Gordon and walking Jamey Carroll.  Andre Ethier then bounced a ball to Paul Janish, who got Carroll at second, but Brandon Phillips's relay throw to first was off target.  Gordon motored around and scored on the error.  Then Matt Kemp grounded into the double play, immediately giving Phillips his shot at redemption.  Dodgers lead 1-0.
• Clayton Kershaw was just as good as Cueto on the night.  The Reds did get to him in the fourth inning, though, when Drew Stubbs led off with a single.  After Brandon Phillips popped out, Stubbs stole second.  Joey Votto struck out, but Jay Bruce worked a walk.  Then Scott Rolen ripped a double.  Stubbs scored easily, but Bruce tried to score from first and was thrown out at the plate.  Game tied, 1-1.
• With the game still tied in the eighth, some changes were made to both sides.  Pinch hitter Miguel Cairo came in to face Jane Austen character Blake Hawksworth.  Cairo won the duel, getting a leadoff single.  Drew Stubbs bunted Cairo to second, and Brandon Phillips's single put runners on the corners.  Scott Elbert entered the game to face Joey Votto, and Votto simply lined a single up the middle.  Cairo scored, but the Reds would do no more damage.  Reds lead, 2-1.
• Mike MacDougal pitched the ninth for the Dodgers, and the Reds were able to pick up an insurance run off of him.  Ramon Hernandez walked with one out, and one more out later, pinch hitter Fred Lewis singled.  Mike Leake pinch ran for Hernandez, and thus was able to score on Drew Stubbs's third single of the game.  Reds lead, 3-1.
• That run proved its worth in the bottom half of the frame.  Francisco Cordero walked Matt Kemp with one out in the bottom of the ninth.  Kemp then swiped second base and scored when James Loney singled.  Despite a few more hair-raising moments, Coco closed out the game.  Reds win, 3-2.

via www.fangraphs.com

Other Notes

• Cincinnati starters have a 1.94 over the last nine games.
• This was Johnny Cueto's 100th start and Clayton Kershaw's 100th appearance (98 starts).