When the Cincinnati Reds bullpen get an opportunity, they should thank Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey for their recent pitching performances.

We already know what Cueto did to the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday (Pirates were one-hit). Thursday found the Reds and Pirates at it again at PNC Park, with Pittsburgh trying to salvage a part of their series.

If you remember what happened last night at PNC Park, the almost identical thing happened. Homer Bailey (1-2) pitched his best game of this season, allowing just four hits while pitching a complete game, allowing Cincinnati to shut out Pittsburgh again 5-0. The last time the Reds threw consecutive shutouts was back in 1989, when Jose Rijo and Tom Browning did the deed.

Joey Votto put this baby to rest in the first inning when he hit a homer to right after Brandon Phillips’ double; the Reds made it 4-0 in the second when Ryan Hanigan doubled in Darren Stubbs and Orlando Cabrera drove in Hanigan with a single tow batters later.

Stubbs would cap Cincinnati’s scoring in the fourth when he hit a solo shot to center – his third HR and second since April 9 – with one out.

All of the Reds starters except for Jay Bruce had at least one hit, with Stubbs and Phillips having two apiece, with Stubbs driving home a run. Votto drove home a pair while Cabrera and Hanigan had an RBI each.

Cincinnati returns home for a three-game set with the St. Louis Cardinals, beginning on Friday night; Jaime Garcia (3-2, 1.18 ERA) gets the start for the Redbirds while the Reds counter with Aaron Harang (2-4, 6.02 ERA).