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Struggling Cueto takes mound for Reds

Aug 14, 2008 - 10:05 AM Cincinnati (53-68) at Pittsburgh (55-65) 7:05 p.m. EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Cincinnati Reds rookie Johnny Cueto gained recognition earlier this season by displaying his electric fastball. Lately, Cueto has been noticed more for his failure than success.

Cueto tries to help the Reds avoid their eighth loss in nine games when he takes the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.

The 22-year-old righthander, Cueto (7-11, 5.01 ERA) allowed only one run and one hit while striking out 10 in seven innings during his first start of the year on April 3. Despite owning a 7-9 record in the first half of 2008, Cueto had 97 strikeouts in 111 2/3 innings entering the All-Star break.

However, Cueto has struggled since the "Midsummer Classic," posting an 0-2 record and 6.35 ERA as the Reds have failed to win any of his five starts.

Another pitcher struggling to find consistency since the All-Star break is Ian Snell, who counters for the Pirates.

Snell (4-9, 6.06) is 1-2 with a 6.58 ERA in five starts during the second half, but suffered a hard-luck loss during his last outing.

Snell, 26, surrendered only three runs and eight hits in six innings, walking three while striking out five as Pittsburgh dropped a 4-2 decision to the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday.