RC+ Recap: Castillo pitches well but Reds offense shutout in loss

The Reds and Diamondbacks made up for last night by speeding through an afternoon affair today. After recording the longest nine-inning game in franchise history, waited until the 9th inning to spend any extended amount of time at-bat. The fact that the 3rd hardest hit ball by a Red was 90.7 mph should tell you all you need to know…

After a first-inning walk by Votto, the Reds went three-up, three-down for six consecutive innings. A Jose Iglesias single followed by a double play was the only base runner until the 8th when Curt Casali singled. An Alex Blandino single and Votto walk put the tying run on base in the 9th and give the Reds some hope. With Suarez and Aquino presenting realistic chances of a walk-off, they both struck out to end the game. Another shutout and close loss, adding to the heap from the rest of the season.

Another part of the equation for a quick game was Luis Castillo dealing for the majority of this one. After retiring the first nine batters to begin the game, Castillo allowed a walk that started a 2-run rally which would prove to be the difference in this one. Castillo allowed two hits and two walks in what turned out to be his only blemish of the day. He made it seven and two thirds and was pulled after allowing a walk and single at the top of Arizona’s lineup the fourth time through.  Joel Kunhel got out of the 8th but came on in the 9th and loaded the bases with no outs. Kevin Gausman came on to strikeout the next three in a terrific performance that turned out to not matter so much.

Castillo’s 10 strikeouts came on only a 10.8% swinging rate, pretty low for his standards. His command of all his pitches was really dialed in though, getting 24 called strikes (only 12 swinging), really working the sides and bottom of the zone.

Along with his three walks, which bucks the downward trend in free passes we had been seeing, he also allowed hard contact when the Diamondbacks did connect. The average exit velocity of 93.8 was well above his season and league averages. Still, obviously a great start for Castillo that he unfortunately has to take the loss for.

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