Photo: Getty Images
Reds 5 Marlins 3
If that was it for Luis Castillo as a Red, what a final act Wednesday night at GABP. The right-hander capped his seven inning performance witnessed by multiple scouts in the stands by striking out the final three batters he faced to escape a jam as the Reds beat the Marlins 5-3. Castillo received a standing ovation from the crowd of 11,387 as he walked from the mound. It was Castillo's final start before next Tuesday's trade deadline.
Swan song? Castillo 7 IN, 3 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 8 K, 92 pitches/62 strikes. He was given a 4-0 1st inning lead to work with and needed just 69 pitches to get through six innings. In the 7th inning, with a run in, runners on 2nd and 3rd and 0 outs with the Reds lead cut to 5-3, Castillo proceeded to strike out the next three batters. He spun around and pumped his fist on the mound following the final strikeout of Joey Wendle. He was starting for the first time in 13 days (July 14, NYY). No. 8 hitter, Nick Fortes took him deep for a solo HR in the 3rd inning. J.J. Bleday hit his first ML homer in the 4th inning.
Early two out magic: The Reds delivered three straight two out hits to plate four first inning runs vs Braxton Garrett. Kyle Farmer lined a 2-run single, Donovan Solano, who entered the game hitting .476 with two outs this season, followed with an RBI single and Matt Reynolds added another RBI single to make it 4-0.
It was a 36 pitch first inning for Garrett.
Hit machine: Solano mashed two more doubles, scored a run and drove in a run. He's hitting .333.
Two-fers: Tommy Pham and Matt Reynolds each collected two hits.
Bullpen: Alexis Diaz covered the 8th inning, Hunter Strickland finished off the 9th for his sixth save.
Why? Jonathan India was thrown out attempting to steal 3rd with 2 on and none out in the 1st inning. He appeared to tweak his shoulder. He was 12 of 15 on SB attempts last year 2 of 6 on SB attempts this year.
Contactless delivery: Reds hitters struck out 15 times over eight innings.
The whiiiiiiif: Joey Votto struck out three times, extending his career high streak to 14 consecutive games with a strikeout.