Luis Castillo shuts down potent Diamondbacks lineup leading Reds to 7-0 win

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Luis Castillo has been pressed into this starting rotation, without any time at AAA, because, well this starting rotation has been bad (and hurt).

He’s not shied away from it, though. Through his first three starts, he’s not gone more than 5.2 innings pitched. Regardless, he was always challenging hitters with his electric fastball that always touches triple digits. He gave up at least 5 hits in each of those starts, but his workload increased each time.

It did tonight, too, but the fourth time around, Castillo absolutely dealt. He went 113 pitches and 6.2 innings pitched, allowing only 3 hits and 1 walk. He struck out 8, which isn’t even the highest of his short career. The most important number, though, is the 0 earned runs allowed. The Diamondbacks are a good hitting team playing in a hitter friendly park.

Castillo don’t care and he shut them down in a way that Cincinnati Reds fans aren’t familiar with this season. So, have a trophy, rook. Keep at it after the break.

Honorable mention to Joey Votto, for being Joey Votto. He hit another home run tonight and continues to lead the league And then, he hit a sac fly. That’s a 3 RBI night, folks. Tucker Barnhart smacked a double and a home run, scoring twice. Billy Hamilton got on base four times tonight, stole some bases and scored a run. Zack Cozart hit a triple (and walked) and Scooter Gennett hit another home run, which just furthers their 2017 legends. Wandy Peralta allowed nothing out the bullpen, and neither did Ariel Hernandez.

Key Plays

• Billy Hamilton got this one started with a walk, then he followed it up with a stolen base, because Billy Hamilton runs fast. Zack Cozart, All Star starter, tripled to score Hamilton. And, wouldn’t you know it, Joey Votto, All Star, cleared the bags with a dinger to left field. Reds jump on top early, 3-0.
• Tucker Barnhart knocked a double down the left field line with one out in the 4th. After Luis Castillo struck out, Hamilton knocked a line drive single to left to score Barnhart. Reds tack on another, 4-0.
• Scooter F. Gennet (the F stands for exactly what you think it does). Ding. Dong. Reds, 5-0.
• Barnhart mashed a tater with one out in the top of the 9th. Patrick Kivlehan walked, Hamilton singled, and Cozart walked to load the bases for Joseph Votto. He just missed blooping one to center. It was caught, but Kivlehan scored. Duvall struck out to end the inning. Reds, 7-0.
• That, my friends, was that. Reds win, 7-0.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• Gordon Hayward is a very famous basketball player, who just signed this offseason with the Boston Celtics. Tucker Barnhart is a semi-famous baseball player for your Cincinnati Reds. They went to high school together in Brownsburg, Indiana, and we learned tonight that not only were they some of the best in the sport they chose to pursue, but they were also big time stars in high school tennis. Who knew!?
• We’re one day away from Joey Votto officially leading the National League in home runs for 2017’s first half. There are a lot of stats that I would’ve guessed Joey Votto would be leading in after one half of baseball... home runs definitely don’t top the list.
• Scooter Gennett set a career high for home runs in a season when he hit his 15th in the top of the 5th. We haven’t reached the All Star break yet.
• The Reds will wrap up the first half the season tomorrow in Arizona. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM EDT. Homer Bailey will look to build on his last strong start in Colorado facing Patrick Corbin.
• Tunes.