CHICAGO (AP) — Johnny Cueto was strong in his season debut Sunday, allowing five hits and pitching into the seventh Sunday as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0.
Drew Stubbs hit his sixth homer for the Reds and Cueto (1-0), who was activated off the disabled list before the game, won a pitcher’s duel with Ryan Dempster.
Four Reds’ relievers completed the shutout. Francisco Cordero pitched the ninth for his sixth save in seven chances, one day after giving up two ninth-inning runs in a 3-2 loss.
Cueto began the season on the DL with irritation in his right biceps/triceps. He left Sunday’s outing after giving up Alfonso Soriano’s leadoff single in the bottom of the seventh. During his 102-pitch outing, he walked one and struck out four.
