Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto did what no other Reds starter has done yet in 2011 – allow zero runs in a start. It was the first shutout appearance by a starter through the first 34 games. Cueto’s start capped the second best 3-game series (measured by runs allowed) by Reds starters this season. The 7 runs 5 runs allowed in 18.1 innings against the Cubs was bettered only by the 4 runs allowed over 18.2 innings in San Diego April 11-13.
The Reds finally have a starting rotation built with the 5 pitchers they wanted to begin the season. In the last trip through the rotation, the 5 starters yielded just 10 runs 8 runs in 30.1 innings. That is the fewest runs allowed by Reds starting pitchers in any 5 game stretch this season.
Each of the 5 starters went at least 5 innings, which is something the Reds haven’t done since the starting pitchers went 5 innings or more in each of the first 8 games of the season. Only the Saturday blown save prevented the current rotation from matching the 5-game winning streak the team had at the start of the season.