Reds offense fails Luis Castillo’s only bad May start, lose 5-2 to Diamondbacks

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Chicks, and Red Reporter, dig the long ball, so I guess Eugenio Suarez gets the trophy? He launched his 10th tater of the year (which accounted for his RBI and run scored and hit). He’s good. Scooter Gennett hit safely once and also scored a run on a ground out, while Joey Votto hit twice and probably should’ve had an RBI. I dunno, pick one...

Honorable Mention to Billy Hamilton, who hit twice and my goodness did he need them. The Reds bullpen again allowed a bunch of nothing, this time from David Hernandez and Amir Garrett.

Key Plays

• The Reds, as they’re wont to do, got the action started early. Alex Blandino, freed, led off with a double. Tucker Barnhart struck out, but Joey Votto singled to left (Blandino should’ve scored, probably). Scooter Gennett grounded out, but it did score Blandino. Eugenio Suarez walked, but Scott Schebler struck out behind him for the final out, so the Reds only managed one from the lead off double, as they are also wont to do. Reds, 1-0.
• The D-Backs came on back quick, though doubling up the Reds in the bottom of the opening frame. Luis Castillo allowed a 2-out walk to Jake Lamb, and Daniel Descalso made it haunt, honking a 2-run dinger. ‘Zona up, 2-1 after 1 full.
• Jarrod Dyson opened up the bottom of the 3rd with a walk, which, ::ghost emoji::. Ketel Marte doubled thereafter, which scored Dyson (Marte moved to 3B on the throw in). Lamb sac flied Marte in to double their total for the game, Snakes lead, 4-1.
• Dyson wound up on again in the 5th with a 1-out single and then moved to 2B on a wild pitch from Castillo. Then he moved to home plate on a throwing error from Blandino at short. Ugh. Diamondbacks, 5-1.
• Suarez led off the 6th with a 451ft tater to straight away center. The Reds left runners on base thereafter, of course. Diamondbacks still lead, 5-2.
• And that was that. Arizona takes a 2-0 series lead, 5-2.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• Homer Bailey... well I won’t say he’s exactly been “told” he’s moving to the bullpen, like, now... but it’s been discussed with him. It’s looking unlikely that he will make his scheduled start on Sunday in San Diego. This is likely to get acrimonious.
• Raisel Iglesias and Austin Brice are eligible to return from the DL as early as Wednesday, I believe. So without appearing today, it’s looking a little unlikely that Jesus Reyes, called up today by the Reds, will make his MLB debut. But, with the off day on Thursday, it’s possible.
• Luis Castillo was less than stellar today for the first time this month. He managed six strikeouts, but walked three and allowed four ER (plus one unearned), and another home run. Prior to tonight, he’d struck out 31 to only nine walks and nine earned runs in the month of May.
• The Reds will actually play a game when we’re not all asleep tomorrow, with first pitch scheduled at 3:40 PM EDT. Sal Romano will attempt to put up a good showing (and he needs it) vs. Patrick Corbin.
• Tunes.