Cueto spins gem in final start before deadline: I wanted to 'shut a lot of mouths'
Johnny Cueto couldn't replicate Cole Hamels' no-hit performance, but he still managed to boost his potential trade value with a strong outing Saturday.
The Cincinnati Reds righty allowed four hits over eight shutout innings while striking out five in a 5-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Cueto's gem comes after his previous start where he had his shortest outing of the season, throwing 94 pitches over four innings thanks in part to walking six batters.
"A lot of people talked about me after I had that game when I pitched only four innings," Cueto told USA TODAY Sports in Spanish. "That's why I focused even more today, to shut a lot of mouths, to show who I am."
Related: Reds-Royals Cueto trade reportedly falls through
Cueto, making his final start before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, is likely to be moved by the Reds before his next scheduled start Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The 29-year-old has put together an impressive July to this point, earning wins in three of his last five starts this month while yielding only six runs over 34 innings.
| Date | Opponent | IP | ER | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 25 | Rockies | 8 | 0 | 5 |
| July 19 | Indians | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| July 12 | Marlins | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| July 7 | Nationals | 9 | 0 | 11 |
| July 1 | Twins | 8 | 1 | 8 |
Cueto, who will be a free agent at season's end, is considered one of the top rental pitchers available on the market.