CINCINNATI, Ohio -- That playoff loss in Pittsburgh last year? Johnny Cueto never thought about it much.
http://www.germanynationalshop.com/Julian-Weigl-Germany-Jersey/ . So getting a chance to shut out the Pirates in a rematch wasnt any more special. Not to him, anyway. Cueto pitched his third career shutout against the team that beat him in the NL wild card game, and Joey Votto hit a two-run homer that led the Cincinnati Reds over the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 Wednesday for their first winning series this season. Cueto (1-2) had his way with the lineup that beat him 6-2 at PNC Park in the playoffs. He limited the Pirates to three hits, didnt walk a batter and struck out a career-high 12 during his first shutout since 2011. Any extra satisfaction given what happened the last time he faced them? "I never think too much about those things," Cueto said, with assistant trainer Tomas Vera interpreting. "That was 2013." And Cueto is starting to look more like a vintage ace. He started only 11 games last season because of strained muscles by his pitching shoulder. The right-hander has been solid this season but hasnt gotten much help from an offence that scored only one run while he was on the mound during his first three starts. Cueto didnt need much help on Wednesday, putting the Pirates away with 107 pitches. "Welcome back, Johnny Cueto," manager Bryan Price said. "Hes been great his first three starts, and he was dominant today. It was nice to win our first series. Pittsburgh is a handful." Several Pirates questioned called third strikes by Quinn Wolcott, a Triple-A umpire called up to the majors. Eight of Cuetos strikeouts were called. Maybe it didnt mean anything extra to Cueto, but his teammates got some satisfaction from beating the Pirates. "For us to come together the way we have, especially against the team that beat us in the playoffs, its a lot of fun," third baseman Todd Frazier said. After the NL Central rivals combined for 13 homers while splitting the first two games, Votto supplied the one that broke open the deciding game. Left-hander Francisco Liriano (0-3) opened the game by walking Billy Hamilton, who stole second base and came around on two wild pitches. That was it for scoring until the seventh inning, when Cueto singled and Votto hit his fourth homer in six games. Brayan Pena doubled home a run in the eighth. Liriano and Cueto also were matched in the wild card game last season. Liriano got the better of that one, going seven innings for the victory while Cueto failed to make it through the fourth. Liriano had trouble at the outset on Wednesday. Ten of his first 13 pitches were balls. He walked Hamilton and Votto opening the inning, then threw the two wild pitches that let in the run. The Ohio River rivals had a bruising series last season, with 28 batters hit overall -- the most for any series in the majors. Its been mostly pain-free so far, with only two batters hit during the series. Pirates left fielder Jose Tabata left the game in the fifth inning with what appeared to be a mild concussion after he slammed into the outfield wall while catching Penas fly ball. Tabata fell, held up his glove to show hed caught the ball and sat on the warning track for several minutes. A trainer examined Tabatas neck, jaw and head, and he was helped off the field. "You talk about laying out and making a catch and hitting the wall hard," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "I was just glad he was able to walk off. Well see how it feels tomorrow." NOTES: The Pirates completed their first trip of the season at 3-6. They open a four-game series against Milwaukee on Thursday, with Edinson Volquez starting against Yovani Gallardo. ... The Reds concluded a 3-3 homestand. Theyre off on Thursday before opening a 10-game trip at Wrigley Field. Alfredo Simon starts against the Cubs Jeff Samardzija. ... Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is to throw in the bullpen for the second time on Thursday. The Reds are hoping to have him back from a head injury next month. ... Cueto was called for interference twice while trying to bunt. The first time, he ran out of the box to bunt the ball. The second time, he stood in the box and blocked catcher Tony Sanchez from fielding the bunt.
http://www.germanynationalshop.com/Emre-Can-Germany-Jersey/ . -- Valentin Zykov scored in overtime as the Baie-Comeau Drakkar rallied to a 3-2 victory over the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada on Sunday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action.
http://www.germanynationalshop.com/Max-Kruse-Germany-Jersey/ . The 40-year-old midfielder was put in charge on Tuesday when David Moyes reign ended after 10 months with the defending champions in seventh place in the English Premier League.MANCHESTER, England - Frank Lampard showed his value to Manchester City on Thursday by clinching a 3-2 victory over Sunderland just one day after extending his deal with the club until the end of the season.After City threw away a 2-0 lead, the 36-year-old Lampard spared Citys blushes with a milestone goal in the 73rd minute. The former Chelsea midfielder moved to fourth place on the Premier Leagues all-time scoring leaderboard by netting for the 176th time in the division, heading in from Gael Clichys cross.By now Lampard was due to be getting ready for his Major League Soccer career with Citys new sister club New York City FC. But Man City announced late on Wednesday that Lampard would be staying until the end of the season to be part of the second-place teams title push.A dull contest burst into life after Yaya Toure broke the deadlock with a stunning strike after 57 minutes. Four more goals followed in the next 16 minutes as Stevan Jovetic added a second for City and Sunderland hit back through former City players Jack Rodwell and Adam Johnson.It then fell to substitute Lampard to score his seventh goal for City.What unfolded in the second half came in remarkable contrast to the first half.City, who had Willy Caballero in goal in place of the rested Joe Hart, dominated possession but Sunderland played deep.City created an early opening with Jovetic flashing a shot wide after combining with David Silva but their opportunities were limited.Toure, who gave City control of midfield after being rested for Sundays 2-2 draw with Burnley, sliced one chance from distance well wide and high.
http://www.germanynationalshop.com/Christoph-Kramer-Germany-Jersey/. City tried to up the tempo in the second half, and Jesus Navas shot wide within a minute of the restart, but the game appeared to be changing little until Toure finally struck.City again seemed to be getting little joy as they looked to prize an opening in the Sunderland defence - but Toure opted for power. The Ivory Coast midfielder, who heads off to the African Cup of Nations next week, was lurking just outside the area when he raced onto Jovetics lay-off and smashed a shot into the top corner.City then seemed to have made the game safe as Jovetic released Clichy down the left and then sprinted into the area to take his return pass and beat Costel Pantilimon with a neat flick.But with the game having suddenly come to life, Sunderland produced a remarkable response to level with two quickfire goals.Emanuele Giaccherini extended Caballero with a good shot but Rodwell got a firm header to Larssons cross from the resulting corner to pull a goal back.City lost its discipline and was pulled apart moments later as Sunderland attacked again.Ricardo Alvarez drove the ball across the box and Zabaleta felled Billy Jones attempting to stop the inrushing defender. Johnson made no mistake from the penalty spot.But after Sundays frustration against Burnley, Lampard prevented a repeat.Lampard might even have had further goals as he twice forced Pantilimon to save.
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