Cueto leaves start early, Reds tie Rangers 5-5

SURPRISE, Ariz. – Reds starter Johnny Cueto cut short his start because of tightness in his right forearm and the Cincinnati Reds tied the Texas Rangers 5-5 Friday.

"It wasn't near his elbow, which is a good sign," Reds trainer Paul Lessard said. "We took him out for precautionary reasons. We didn't want it turn into something. It isn't something that we think needed to be seen right away."

Scheduled to pitch four innings, Cueto went only two, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts. He is not expected to miss any time.

"I felt it when I threw breaking balls," Cueto said. "I felt it in the bullpen. I'm fine."

Reds manager Dusty Baker said it was no big deal.

"It was a little tightness in his forearm muscle," Baker said. "That's why we took him out. We have had very few health problems. We knew we'd have something but, knock on wood, we've had very little trouble health-wise."

Texas starter Colby Lewis allowed three runs, five hits and a walk with three strikeouts in four innings, then threw another dozen pitches in a bullpen.

Before the game, Lewis went through his pregame routine even as news of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan was shown on clubhouse televisions. Lewis pitched in Japan for two years signing with the Rangers last season.

"I'm sad for the people," Lewis said. "It's definitely tragic. I've been in that part of the country, played ball there. It's a real bad situation from what they say."

Joey Votto had two hits for the Reds — an RBI single in the first and a double in the third. Yorvit Torrealba and Mitch Moreland both doubled in the second for the Rangers.

Also watching intently was Rangers reliever Yoshinori Tateyama, who said before the game he learned of the tragedy after morning workouts.

"I didn't know exactly what was happening," said the 35-year-old Tateyama, who pitched the ninth inning as scheduled, allowing one run on three hits.

Tateyama said he had been in contact with friends and family, all of whom were OK.

Ian Kinsler hit his fifth home run of the spring and doubled.

"He's been swinging the bat extremely well," Rangers manager Ron Washington said.

Notes: Before the game, the Rangers announced managing partner and CEO Chuck Greenberg was stepping down. Greenberg cited conflicts with team president Nolan Ryan as the cause. ... Cueto was coming off a one-hit, three-inning outing against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. ... Reds SS Zack Cozart, who entered the game with four hits in his last eight at-bats went 0 for 3. ... Rangers OF Craig Gentry, who crashed through the bullpen gate in left field during Thursday's game, came on for Nelson Cruz in right when the starters left after the fifth.