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.

Reds Most Valuable Players

  • Alex Blandino: 0.09 WPA (Win Probability Added) | 1 for 1, 9th inning leadoff, PH single
  • Luis Castilo: 0.08 WPA  | (7.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 10 K, 3 BB
  • Kevin Gausman: 0.06 WPA | 1.0 IP, 3 K

Reds Least Valuable Players

  • Eugenio Suarez: -0.18 WPA | 0-for-4, 3K
  • Freddy Galvis: -0.15 WPA
  • Phillip Ervin: -0.13 WPA

Play of the Game

  • Joey Votto: 0.093 WPA | 9th-inning walk to put the tying run on base

Hardest-Hit Balls

  • Alex Blandino: 101.3 mph single in 9th inning
  • Freddy Galvis: 100.2 mph flyout in 2nd inning
  • Jose Iglesias: 90.7 mph groundout in 2nd inning

Luckiest Hit of the Day

  • Curt Casali .150 xBA, 81.7 mph, -1° LA; single in 8th inning

Unluckiest Out of the Day

  • Freddy Galvis: .960 xBA, 82.8 mph, 17° LA; double play flyout, double play in the 5th inning

Highest Pitch Velocities by Pitcher

  • Luis Castillo: 98.1 mph four-seam fastball
  • Joel Kunhel: 96.2 mph four-seam fastball
  • Kevin Gausman: 95.9 mph four-seam fastball

Links

Matt Habel

Matthew Habel was born and mostly raised in Cincinnati and was always a Reds fan growing up. Ironically, he did not become die-hard until moving to Pittsburgh after college and experiencing the 2013 Wild Card game behind enemy lines. While the "Cueto Game" is one of the worst sports moments of his life, he became enamored with the analytics side of the game after reading Big Data Baseball and watching the Pirates organization end their postseason drought. He started writing for Redleg Nation in 2017 and has enjoyed continuously learning more about the sport. He currently lives in Portland, Oregon where he loves exploring the great outdoors. Find him on Twitter @MattadorHeyBull