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Pineiro returns from DL in finale with Reds

Thu 12th, June 2008

(Sports Network) - Right-hander Joel Pineiro returns from the disabled list tonight and hopes to repeat an early-season gem against Cincinnati when the St. Louis Cardinals finish up a three-game series with the Reds at Great American Ball Park.

The 29-year-old scored his most recent victory on April 29 against Cincinnati, allowing just one hit in seven scoreless innings of the Cardinals' 7-2 win.

Pineiro was 0-1 with three no-decisions in four subsequent starts, then took a turn on the DL with a right groin strain in late May.

He returns to action just as fellow pitchers Adam Wainwright and Todd Wellemeyer were each sidelined by injury, in addition to an even more damaging blow to the offense, suffered when first baseman Albert Pujols was carried off the field during Tuesday's game with a strained left calf.

Pujols will miss at least three weeks, though the strain was subsequently less serious than the severe muscle tear initially feared.

Chris Duncan was recalled from Triple-A Louisville and took Pujols' spot at first base on Wednesday, when Braden Looper went the distance for the first time in his career, tossing a three-hit shutout as the Cardinals pounded the Reds, 10-0.

Rick Ankiel belted a three-run homer and Jason LaRue added a two-run shot - both in the first inning off Johnny Cueto, as the Cardinals captured their fourth consecutive victory.

Ryan Ludwick added a solo homer and two RBI in the victory.

Looper (8-5), who had four strikeouts without walking a batter, allowed a double to Ken Griffey Jr. in the fourth inning, and back-to-back singles to Jay Bruce and Paul Janish in the sixth.

Cueto (5-6) was charged with five hits and six runs, while walking a career- high eight batters against just two strikeouts. The 22-year-old right-hander threw just 50 of his 101 pitches for strikes and had his personal three-start winning streak broken.

It's the most walks allowed by a Reds starter since Steve Avery had nine, June 29, 1999 against Arizona.

In the series finale, Cincinnati goes with right-hander Bronson Arroyo, who defeated the Cardinals on April 28 in St. Louis. In that game, Arroyo surrendered six hits and three runs in six innings, scoring his first win of 2008.

He's 3-2 with three no-decisions in eight subsequent starts and has lowered an ugly 6.97 earned run average to a slightly more respectable 5.74.

Arroyo is 4-5 in 15 career starts against St. Louis with a 4.39 ERA in 82 innings.

St. Louis took two of three from the Reds earlier in the season at Busch Stadium.

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