Right-hander Johnny Cueto suffocated the Pirates' offense Sunday, allowing just four singles in eight innings, as the Cincinnati Reds cruised to a 5-0 victory.
Cueto (2-1) rung up nine strikeouts, one shy of his career high, and walked one. Jay Bruce gave the Reds a 1-0 lead in the second inning, homering off Jeff Karstens (1-1). Ramon Hernandez hit a three-run single in the third. In the fifth, Joey Votto singled, went to second on a passed ball and scored on Brandon Phillips' two-out single to left field.
Karstens lasted five innings and gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits. He walked four and struck out one.
The Pirates have lost five of their past six games.
