Reds ride solid Luis Castillo start for 6th straight defeat of Los Angeles Dodgers

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Luis Castillo’s roller coaster of a season continued tonight, and week peak into tonight on a high note. Facing a very good Los Angeles Dodger lineup, Castillo had it working and gave us another glimpse of what he can be when he’s on.

In all, he gave up only four hits and a walk while striking out nine Dodgers in 6.1 innings of work (92 total pitches). In fact, Luis Castillo has made nine starts since the All Star break. In those nine starts, hes walked only nine batters against 62 strikeouts. It doesn’t take breaking out the calculator to understand that ratio will work quite well.

This game will bring that second half ERA under three to 2.98. This is the guy the Reds need looking ahead to 2019.

Honorable mention to former Dodgers organization players Brandon Dixon (1 HR, 1 BB) and Scott Schebler (1 HR, 2 H, 2 R). Scooter Gennett had two more hits, an RBI, and walk, while Eugenio Suarez reached base twice. David Hernandez pitched 1.1 innings of stellar ball out of the bullpen. Raisel Iglesias, pitching in something like his 14th straight game (estimated) earned the save.

Key Plays

• Brandon Dixon got the scoring going in the bottom of the 2nd with a big solo dong to left field. In all, it traveled over the Kroger K signs in the upper deck, totaling 436 ft. Reds lead, 1-0.
• Scott Schebler would not be shown up, as he knocked a solo tater of his own damn near into the Bow Tie Bar in deep right field. Reds get another, 2-0.
• The Reds opened the bottom of the 5th with three straight singles, one from each of Schebler, Peraza, and Scooter Gennett. The third, by Scooter, scored Schebler to put another Reds run on the board. Reds, 3-0.
• Joc Pederson doinked a donk to right center field, punishing Luis Castillo’s first mistake of the night. Dodgers get on the board in the 6th, 3-1.
• That was that. Reds win, 3-1.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• Brandon Dixon and Scott Schebler both hit towering bombs off of Hyun-Jin Ryu tonight. You might remember that Brandon Dixon and Scott Schebler, along with Jose Peraza, were sent from the the Dodgers in a three team deal that sent Todd Frazier to the Chicago White Sox. The Dodgers received three players in the deal, themselves. None of them are still with the organization.
• The Reds were wearing the bad jerseys again, but it’s September 11th, so I’m not gonna drag them for it tonight.
• The Dodgers threatened in a big way in the top of the 7th, but after Castillo allowed a double to Yasmani Grandal (followed by a wild pitch to move him over to third) and a walk to Alex Verdugo, Captial Hook Riggleman pulled him for Sal Romano with one out. Romano got an out and also issued a walk to load the bases, but David Hernandez shut the shit down, as he’s wont to do this season. It was a sigh of relief moment in this game, as such there can be one in September of a season like this one.
• The Dodgers and Reds will wrap up their portion of the season against one another tomorrow at 12:35 PM. Ross Stripling will face off against Anthony DeSclafani. The Reds will be looking for, not only the series sweep, but a season sweep of the Dodgers.
• Tunes.