SPORTS

Cueto makes final spring start in Reds' 3-0 loss

John Fay
jfay@enquirer.com

Cincinnati Reds' Johnny Cueto, right, beats Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta, left, to first base for an out during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game Wednesday, April 1, 2015, in Goodyear, Ariz.  The Diamondbacks defeated the Reds 3-0.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – The Reds only managed two hits in a 3-0 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

The arms: Johnny Cueto made his final start before Opening Day. He went five innings and allowed three runs on three hits. He struck out seven and walked one.

"He threw the ball fine," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He had the one inning, where he gave up the three runs. Other than that, I thought he was pretty sharp. He got stretched out where we wanted him to – up over 80 pitches – which makes it realistic for him to throw enough pitches to throw six, seven innings in the opener. That's our goal every spring."

Kevin Gregg threw a perfect inning. He struck out one and walked none. He has seven strikeouts and no walks this spring.

Manny Parra also threw a perfect inning. He has not allowed a run over his last five outings.

The bats: The Reds did not have a hit until Todd Frazier singled with two outs in the sixth.

The rest: Joey Votto did not play in the game. He was given a day off from workouts and the game. Reds manager Bryan Price has given veterans an extra day off this spring. The game drew 3,020.

Up next: The Reds play their final spring game in Goodyear. Mike Leake (2-0, 0.64 ERA) will start against Zach McAllister of the Cleveland Indians in a 3:05 p.m. home game. The game is on WSAI (1360-am).