Cueto Fans 10 As Reds Top D'Backs 3-2

Allows only Upton solo HR in seven strong innings
By Chip Bayers,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 3, 2008 6:29 PM CDT
Cueto Fans 10 As Reds Top D'Backs 3-2
Cincinnati Reds closer Francisco Cordero pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 3, 2008, in Cincinnati. Cincinnati pitchers allowed only one hit in the game won by the Reds, 3-2. Cordero earned his first save for the Reds.    (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)

Johnny Cueto allowed nothing more than Justin Upton's solo homer in seven innings Thursday, striking out 10 in an overpowering debut while leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 22-year-old pitcher threw his 96 mph fastball right by hitters who had never seen it, finishing them off with a hard slider or changeup. Pitching in a steady rain, the right-hander struck out eight of his first 13 batters.  

His 10 strikeouts were the most by a Reds pitcher in his big league debut since 1900, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The only glaring mistake: Upton led off the sixth with a homer. That was the only hit by a team that batted an NL-low .250 last season. Arizona's Alex Romero had a sacrifice fly in the eighth, after reliever David Weathers walked the bases loaded. (More Arizona Diamondbacks stories.)

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