The Reds win the trade, don’t get swept, and win 6-4

Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Luis Castillo got a chance today that most pitchers rarely get; the chance to pitch against the team that traded him away, opposed by the pitcher he was traded for. Castillo delivered today, going 8 strong innings, only giving up 1 run and striking out 6. Even more impressively, two of those strikeouts came in the 8th inning, when he was still hitting 97 on the gun. The Reds may be running out of reasons to watch them this year, but Castillo is must-see from here on out.

Oh yeah, he also drove in a run to help his cause, his first big league RBI on his second career hit. Have a day, Luis.

Honorable mention goes to Tucker Barnhart, who would have got this award on any other day. Tucker drove in 3 runs, and had a handful of impressive defensive plays to boot. Jose Peraza had two hits and walked twice, which is the weirdest sentence I’ve typed this year.

Key Plays

• The Reds struck first, with Barnhart driving in the first run. Luis Castillo then had a bunt hit to score another run, and the Reds led 2-0.
• Castillo was on cruise control for most of this one, but got into a jam in the 6th. After a Dee Gordon walk, A.J. Ellis hit a double and Gordon scored from first. Dang. 2-1 Reds.
• The Marlins’ relief core had their meltdown in the 7th, as they loaded the bases with Adam Duvall up with no outs. Duvall singled in one run, and Jose Peraza walked to bring in another. Tucker Barnhart singled to bring in two more. Insurance runs! Reds lead 6-1.
• Raisel Iglesias got the call for the 9th, and didn’t have the best outing. After Gordon and Ellis reached, Marcell Ozuna hit a 3-run johnson to make it 6-4, which is how the game would end. Reds win!

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• Off day tomorrow. The Reds will be in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, as Homer Bailey will face Jameson Taillon.