NLDS Game 1: With back spasms, Cincinnati Reds’ Johnny Cueto leaves in first inning – MLB Update
Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, October 6, faced a setback in the form of starter Johnny Cueto’s walking off the mound due to back spasms. Pitching in the very first inning at AT&T Park, Cueto had to exit the game after tossing no more than eight pitches.
The Reds brought in Sam LeCure to take over after Cueto’s exit. Even though a seemingly huge setback, the Reds will be looking to deal with the matter least it impacts the club’s run in the playoffs.
Prior to Saturday’s start against the Washington Nationals, Cueto was confident he would do what is expected of him on the mound. However, to his and the team’s thorough disappointment, every plan seemed coming to naught, frustrating a lot of tactics that the starter and the team had.
"I don't have to change anything," Cueto had said the other day. "I started Opening Day and I was the first guy for the staff. All I need to do is a little more concentration. It's best of five, so just concentrate a little more. But I don't have to change anything."
When Cueto came on the mound on Saturday, he had a splendid record to display for all there to see. Having made 33 starts, he had 19-9 record with impressive 2.78 ERA, pitching 217 innings and having had 170 strike-outs.
Cincinnati Reds' catcher Ryan Hanigan lauded the accomplished pitcher for his incredible mental toughness.
He said, “He really expects and works hard enough and demands to be one of the best guys in the league. I think he's got the stuff. He embraces the status of being an ace and works his butt off every day to be one of the elite guys in the league."
Cueto now is day-to-day and the Reds rotation is in apparent flux. Mat Latos is to make a start in Game 2 even though he was earlier named for Game 3. Cueto, the Reds hope, will be able to show up in the Game 3, something that both the starter and the team as a whole wish at this stage.
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