The subject in Chicago Cub's manager Joe Maddon's pre-game huddle with the press were one-run games. Maddon's take was it shows a good bullpen when a lot of your games are close. When informed the first place Cubs and the last place Reds have the same amount of one-run wins, seven, he was surprised.
The Reds were 3-6 in two-run games before reversing fortunes in a 4-2 win over the first-place Cubs.
A member of the Chicago media read a study that pointed out the Reds are the unluckiest team in baseball. The Reds are 7-13 in one-run games. The Cubs are 7-5.
"I like this kid on the mound tonight," said Maddon referring to Luis Castillo. "He has a big arm and a Bugs Bunny change up."
Castillo and the Reds wore the unlucky hats in the first inning while the Cubs had a shamrock tucked in their back pocket.
The Reds new ace walked Kris Bryant with one. With two out Javier Baez doubled directly over the third base bag to put runners at second and third. Wilson Contreras grounded slowly down the third base line. Eugenio Suarez got in front of it but it hit the base and bounded by him for a two-run double.
"Castillo kept his composure," Bell said. "That's part of the process."
The 26-year old in his second full year accepted the bad break like a challenge.
"When things like that happen, you have to keep pitching," Castillo said.
Neither the Cubs against Castillo or the Reds against Jose Quintana could get any offense going. Castillo retired the next 13 Cubs batters through the fifth. Quintana allowed three base runners through four innings.
"You have to believe that you are the best every day and every day, you have to try to get better," Castillo said. "Every year you get experience. It is a dream come true. When you set your goals, you have to keep working."
Then the luck changed to the Reds' advantage as rain intensified in the fifth inning with the Reds needing to score in the fifth or the game could be official and a loss, if it they failed to score at least two runs.
Jose Peraza lined his third home run into the right field seats off Quintana with one out. Castillo hit a solid single to left. Nick Senzel flied out to center but Joey Votto singled. A wild pitch set the Reds up with a second and third situation. A second wild pitch allowed Castillo to score the tying run. Suarez lined a single to left to give the Reds a 3-2 lead.
Suarez has been getting key hits to carry the team the last two weeks. He is making good plays in the field as well.
"He's playing with determination," Bell said.
"I'm just not putting pressure on myself," Suarez said. "For me it is hitting the ball to right field. I know what I can do. I just want to go out and do what I can do."
Castillo got Middletown, Ohio native Kyle Schwarber to line out to a diving and muddy Suarez. Home plate umpire and crew chief Dana Demuth pulled the teams off the field for a rain delay. The Reds would win if the game was not continued.
Castillo finished with 5-1/3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk. He struck out six.
Michael Lorenzen came in for the Reds after the 1:51 minute delay.
The Cubs had two-out singles from Daniel Descalso and Baez but Lorenzen held the lead.
Tyler Chatwood replaced Quintana. The Reds had a hit and two walks but Jesse Winker bounced into a double play.
Amir Garrett struck out the side in the eighth inning.
The Reds added a run with singles by Senzel, Votto and Suarez. Winker's infield hit loaded the bases with two outs. Curt Casali struck out on a 3-2 pitch.
David Hernandez pitched a perfect eighth.
Raisel Iglesias was looking for his ninth save in 11 tries when he entered the game in the ninth. Iglesias struck out two to nail it down.
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| Edited By ML Schirmer |
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