Cueto’s return to Cincy brings mixed emotions

CINCINNATI — The first bursts of noise that Johnny Cueto heard Monday night came from the fans. Thanking him for the charisma he displayed and the mound presence he maintained during his 7 1/2 seasons with the Reds, the Great American Ball Park patrons greeted Cueto with warm ovations as he began warming up for the first inning and when he batted one inning later.

The next round of sound wasn’t so pleasant for Cueto. His evening nearly came to an early end in the third inning, when he threw 46 pitches while allowing six runs and five hits. But the right-hander regained enough equilibrium to finish his five-inning performance with two shutout innings, helping stabilize the Giants as they roared back to win, 9-6.

Cueto said it “felt great to hear the support.” Later, many of the same fans who cheered him started taunting him by turning his surname into a derisive sing-song chant, as is done in venues in every professional sport.

“It’s normal,” Cueto said. “I understand it. Things didn’t come out the way I wanted them to.”

That was partly because Reds speedster Billy Hamilton, the third batter in the Reds’ big third, delivered a one-out RBI double and succeeded in distracting Cueto. Hamilton seemed to toy with Cueto by taking a big lead and sustaining plenty of movement.

Said Cueto, “I was paying too much …

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