Johnny Cueto rebounds from rough outing with 4 scoreless innings, but Angels beat Reds 3-1

Cincinnati Reds' Johnny Cueto throws before the first inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Sunday, March 9, 2014, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (The Associated Press)

Los Angeles Angels' Howie Kendrick breaks his bat as he grounds out during the first inning of an exhibition spring baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, March 9, 2014, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (The Associated Press)

TEMPE, Ariz. – Johnny Cueto rebounded from a rough outing with four scoreless innings for the Cincinnati Reds in their 3-1 loss Sunday to the Los Angeles Angels.

Cueto, coming off an injury-plagued season, allowed two hits and struck out two. It was a big improvement over his second spring start, when he gave up six runs and seven hits to Kansas City in 2 2-3 innings.

A 19-game winner in 2012, Cueto struggled with a strained muscle on the right side of his back last year and was sidelined for 2½ months. He finished 5-2 with a 2.82 ERA in 11 starts.

Angels left-hander Tyler Skaggs also threw four shutout innings, allowing one hit and two walks with three strikeouts.