Reds Overcome Injury to Cueto – Beat Giants In Game One of NLDS

Phillips had three hits and three RBI to lead Reds

Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips each homered for the Cincinnati Reds after Reds starter Johnny Cueto left his Game 1 NL Division Series start against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night in the first inning because of back spasms.

Phillips was the hitting star for the Reds with three hits and three RBI, including a base hit in the ninth inning to score Ryan Hanigan. Xavier Paul scored on a passed ball by Buster Posey to add the Reds fifth run of the night.

The Reds used Sam LeCure, Mat Latos, Sean Marshall, Jonathan Broxton and Aroldis Chapman to finish the game and secure a 5-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants and Matt Cain. Cain pitched five innings for the Giants allowing prayer runs on five hits, off striking out four and walking one. Cain faced the Reds twice in 2012, losing both starts and giving up eight runs in 13 innings.

Posey homered for the Giants in the sixth inning for the team’s lone run, until the ninth inning when Joaquin Arias scored on a wild pitch by Chapman. Chapman struck out Posey to end the game with the bases loaded.

Cueto left the game after eight pitches. The Reds said he is day to day. After throwing his second strike to Marco Scutaro,  Cueto walked off the mound in obvious pain. Reds manager Dusty Baker and a team trainer rushed to the mound to check him out, and he left the game moments later.

Game Notes : Earlier today the Reds set their playoff series roster carrying 11 pitchers and 14 roster players. The pitchers, RHP — Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mat Latos, Homer Bailey, Sam LeCure, Jose Arredondo, Alfredo Simon, J.J. Hoover, Jonathan Broxton  LHP — Sean Marshall, Aroldis Chapman. Postion Players were C — Ryan Hanigan, Dioner Navarro  , IF — Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Zack Cozart, Scott Rolen, Todd Frazier, Miguel Cairo,Wilson Valdez , OF — Jay Bruce, Ryan Ludwick, Drew Stubbs, Chris Heisey, Xavier Paul

The Giants roster carry 12 pitchers rather than 11, the pitchers RHP — Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Ryan Vogelsong, Guillermo Mota, George Kontos, Santiago Casilla, Sergio Romo , LHP — Madison Bumgarner, Barry Zito, Jeremy Affeldt, Javier Lopez, Jose Mijares  Postion Players C — Buster Posey, Hector Sanchez,  IF — Brandon Belt, Pablo Sandoval, Marco Scutaro, Brandon Crawford, Aubrey Huff, Joaquin Arias, Ryan Theriot ,
OF — Angel Pagan, Hunter Pence, Gregor Blanco, Xavier Nady