Cincinnati Reds Lose Ace Johnny Cueto to Injury

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Johnny Cueto #47 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game on September 30, 2012 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) (2012 Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO – The Cincinnati Reds suffered a surprising blow when star pitcher Johnny Cueto was forced to leave the team's first playoff game moments after it had begun.

Cueto warned the Reds after his warmup that he had experienced a sharp pain on the right side of his back when he made his final two throws in the bullpen.

Cueto lasted just eight pitches after that. He left his Game 1 start against San Francisco on Saturday night in the first inning because of back spasms, then the Reds hung on to beat the Giants 5-2 behind their stellar bullpen.

"I feel really proud about my team. I feel proud about the pitchers," Cueto said. "They all came in and did their job."

The Reds said he is day to day. The right-hander threw a second strike to No. 2 hitter Marco Scutaro and walked off the mound in obvious pain. A trainer and manager Dusty Baker rushed out to check on him, and the 19-game winner came out moments later.

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Now, the Reds hope to get him back this series. Cueto wants to see how he responds Sunday.

"I really feel better right now," Cueto said after the game. "This is my first time it happened."

He retired leadoff man Angel Pagan on a strikeout. During the at-bat, Pagan stepped out of the batter's box and was granted time. Cueto apparently didn't see it and continued his motion, but Baker said pitching coach Bryan Price had alerted him to Cueto's discomfort beforehand.

The Reds turned to winning pitcher Sam LeCure and got four innings of relief from Mat Latos on three days' rest for the first time in his career, followed by three more relievers.

Cueto threw eight pitches and six strikes for the earliest postseason exit by a starter since Atlanta's John Thomson lasted one-third of an inning in Game 3 of a 2004 NL division series against Houston. Thomson came out with a sore muscle in his left side.

"When Johnny went down, I was like: 'Gosh, oh no, we're done. Why? Why? Why?'" Brandon Phillips said. "We're out there talking, and we're like, 'Let's win this for Johnny.'"

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.