Luis Castillo provides the 4th of July fireworks, Reds blank the Brewers again to win 1-0

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Luis Castillo just showed the whole world why he was selected to the 2019 All Star game in this one and seemed to have a message for Sonny Gray: anything you can do, I can do better.

After watching what was probably the pitching performance of the year for the Reds last night from Sonny Gray, we were treated with a Luis Castillo led encore. He took a no hitter into the 7th inning, before Keston Hiura looped a single into center field.

It’d be the only hit Castillo would allow in the game.

A rain delay pushed Castillo from the game with two outs in the 8th inning. HIs final line: 7.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K. Castillo was charged with the walk only because he’d run up a 2-0 count on Jesus Aguilar before the rain delay started. David Hernandez came in and pitched the final two balls. So, it was Castillo’s walk, but only technically.

He was dialed in and fired up today. Reds fans were certainly treated with a good one on this 4th of July holiday.

Honorable mention to Jesse Winker, who collect three hits today and scored a run. Yasiel Puig knocked in the only Reds run. Joey Votto hit and walked. David Hernandez came in and got the Reds out of the 8th inning clean (a strikeout), and Raisel Iglesias saved it.

Key Plays

• The Reds did their first inning thing again today. Jesse Winker led off with a double and then went to 3B on a Joey Votto single. Eugenio Suarez struck out, but Yasiel Puig hit a slow dribbler to the third baseman to score Winker. Derek Dietrich singled to load the bases, but Nick Senzel grounded into an inning ending double play. Reds lead, 1-0.
• And that was it. Reds win the game, the series, America’s heart; 1-0.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• Happy Fourth of July, Red Reporters!
• Bobby Nightengale of the Enquirer passed along some injury news earlier today: Amir Garrett was placed on the 10 day IL, due to a sore left lat, which explains why he was not in the bullpen last night and rather hanging out in the dugout. The team doesn’t expect it to be serious. Scooter Gennett’s tight left groin also doesn’t appear to be serious, and he could return to the lineup as soon as Saturday. Alex Wood will finally (maybe) begin a rehab stint in Louisville on Saturday, as well.
• A rain delay of a bit over an hour paused this game in the top of the 8th. It ended Castillo’s day a bit prematurely, which really sucks.
• Reds pitching hasn’t allowed a run in 23 straight innings.
• The Reds are off tomorrow, a Friday, because Rob Manfred is a terrorist.
• Tunes.