Boxscore

Johnny Cueto made his triumphant return to the active roster today and lead the Cincinnati Reds to a shutout 2-0 win over the hapless Chicago Cubs. With the win, as RHM accurately predicted over at View From the Bleachers, the Reds took the series 2 games to 1.

Cueto was very good in his first start of the season, going 6 innings, allowing no runs, walking one and striking out 4. He threw 102 pitches, and if he can continue to do that, maybe he’ll be able to finish out a 7th inning here soon. His weakness has always been throwing too many pitches.

The Reds’ offense continued to struggle, but this time they scored enough. Ramon Hernandez drove in the first run in the 2nd inning, and Drew Stubbs hit a solo shot in the 5th. Cueto and the bullpen made those 2 runs be more than enough.

A day after blowing his first save of the season, closer Francisco Cordero looked much sharper. In his save this time, he walked none, struck out 1, and allowed no hits. There’s nothing better than returning from a blown save with a perfect one.

As for the Cubs, Ryan Dempster was the starter and loser. It is always a pleasure to beat the former Red.