Royals 3, Reds 0 - Reds bats bloated by BBQ, silent in opener at Kansas City

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

You know, I think I've mentioned this before. In this space, even. But, the time for Reds fans to watch Johnny Cueto in a Reds jersey is very likely drawing to an abrupt end. On this night, during times where it seemed like he didn't have his best stuff, the Cincinnati ace limited the damage to one run after every jam he found himself in. He did that against what is considered one of the best offensive teams in the entire league, and he did it on the road. He ended the night after 7 innings of 9 hit ball, with 3 earned runs, 4 strike outs and only 1 walk.

On a lot of nights, for a lot of teams, that'd definitely be enough to put your team in the driver's seat. Was not to be for the Reds on this night. The bats were quiet, but Johnny Cueto was Johnny Cueto. Thus, he's getting the trophy. I'm sure you all don't mind.

Honorable mention to: Devin Mesoraco from the DH spot, who went 2-2 with a walk, accounting for exactly half of the Reds hits; JJ Hoover, for his perfect inning of work in the bottom of the 8th; and I guess Todd Frazier and Jay Bruce for getting the other two hits, but, meh. Whatever.

Key Plays

• After Johnny Cueto cruised through the first (and Yordano Ventura sat the Reds down in order through the first 2 frames), the Royals backed Johnny Cueto into a corner in the bottom of the 2nd. Eric Hosmer started the inning by singling into left, followed by a Kendrys Morales walk. Cueto proceeded to strike out Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez, but the Royals got on the board when Omar Infante knocked a single toward Marlon Byrd. Paulo Orlando bunted for a single to load the bases, but Cueto coaxed a line out to Alcides Escobar to limit the damage. Reds trail at the end of 2, 1-0.
• The Reds threatened in their next turn, when Jay Bruce and Devin Mesoraco led off the inning with back to back singles. Billy Hamilton bunted them over to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with only 1 out, but tHom can tell you all about how RISP struck again. Zack Cozart grounded out and Brayan Peña struck out swinging to end the scoring threat. Sigh. Reds still down, 1-0.
• Ole Paulo was back to harass Cueto in the bottom of the 5th. After singling, Escobar small balled Orlando to 2nd, and then Mike Moustakas doubled in a run on a shot in the gap in right center. Lorenzo Cain flied out, and then Cueto blew away Eric Hosmer to end the inning. However, the Royals widened the gap, 2-0.
• In the bottom of the 7th, Omar Infante singled sharply to Cozart, who made a seriously good diving stop and throw for an almost out, but Infante speed beat it out pretty easily. After getting 2 fairly routine out, #Moustakas4MVP went oppo-wall to score Infante from 1st base. Cueto got the 3rd out shortly thereafter, but the Royals scored another body blow, Reds trail 3-0.
• After 7IP from Ventura, the Royals turned it over to their shutdown bullpen, and that was all she wrote. Reds lose 3-0.