Daniel Poncedeleon Turned In A Hitless Performance But Reds Rally

The Reds had one hit to show after 26 outs.  Eugenio Suarez tied the game with the Reds second hit of the game.  Dilson Herrera drove in the winning run to snap the Reds' four game losing streak in a 2-1 victory.

Luis Castillo and Daniel Poncedeleon hooked up in an old fashioned pitcher's duel at Great American Ball Park.

Castillo, in his first start after the All-Star break handled the Cardinals for five solid innings in which he allowed just two hits.   The Cardinals dented the plate in the sixth.  The red hot Matt Carpenter doubled to lead off the inning.   Reds' arch enemy Yadier Molina singled Carpenter home.  It was his 17th RBI against the Reds this year.

"Both clubs played good defense.  Both clubs pitched well," Jim Riggleman said. "There were some really big hits late.  There were a lot of quality at bats in a game we only got three or four hits (actually five hits)."

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"Our bullpen was outstanding tonight," Riggleman said.  "Luis (Castillo) did a good job. In that sixth inning that we talk about so much.  I hate to take him out.  They put three balls on the barrel, the first three hitters.  I said, 'You know what. I'm tired of looking at it.'  Trouble in the sixth for some reason, I don't know if it's in our heads or the reality of baseball that third time through the lineup.  Starting pitchers are having a heck of a time."

Castillo left behind in the game after 5 1/3 innings.  He allowed only four hits, including two in the sixth.

"It was the third time around the lineup," Castillo said through translator Julio Murillo.  "I tried to change my approach.  I made good pitches but they hit my good pitches but anyway we got the win."

The Reds couldn't manage a hit off Poncedeleon for six innings.  Brandon Dixon in the lineup for Scooter Gennett, who is sick, lined to right.  Dexter Fowler was turned around but made the catch with his back to the infield.

Poncedeleon was making his Major League debut.  He had suffered a near fatal injury last May 9 while pitching for Memphis.  He was struck on the temple with a line drive and he started to hemorrhage.  Surgery saved his life but cost him the rest of the season.

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The Cardinals missed a scoring chance in the seventh.  Tommy Pham hit a long fly to center which flirted with the Cardinala' bullpen in left center.  Billy Hamilton leaped and just missed making the catch.  He appeared to knock the ball down.   Adam Duvall made a quick retrieval and fired the relay to Jose Peraza at shortstop.  Peraza's throw to Eugenio Suarez appeared to be late.  The Reds made the challenge and Suarez maintained the tag and Pham popped off the base for the out.

Poncedeleon issued his third walk of the game to Joey Votto leading off the bottom of the seventh.  Suarez and Jesse Winker flied out but Poncedeleon had 115 pitches when Tucker Barnhart flied out to end the seventh.

Interim Cardinal manager, Mike Schildt, had the make an unpopular decision to pull Poncedeleon for a pinch hitter after seven hitless innings.  Harrison Bader batted for the pitcher and popped out to short.  Amir Garrett replaced Hernandez for the Reds, pitching to Carpenter.

"We weren't in a situation where he would be able to finish the game with a no-hitter.  It was his time," Schildt said.

Hard throwing Jordan Hicks replaced Poncedeleon.   Pinch hitter Phillip Ervin singled up the middle with one out to break up the no hitter.  Two ground outs sent the 1-0 game into the ninth.

Jared Hughes retired the Cardinals in order in the ninth.

Bud Norris entered for the Cardinals seeking his 19th save over two blown saves.  Dixon, Votto and Suarez stood in his way.

Scooter Gennett hit for Dixon.  Gennett was under the weather and did not start.

Gennett barely missed his 17th home run that hooked foul on the second pitch he saw.  One pitch later he took a called third strike.  Marcel Ozuna made a diving catch on Votto's sinking line drive to left.  Suarez tied the game with his 20th home run on a 1-0 pitch.  It was Norris' third blown save.

Winker followed with a single to put the potential winning run on base. Tucker Barnhart singled with a line drive that sent Winker head first to avoid getting hit.  Duvall walked to load the bases.  Herrera pinch hit for Hughes.  He became the hero with a run scoring single.

"It was my first walk off and I feel really happy," Herrera said.  "I've been focused more with a runner in scoring position.  I just wanted to make good contact.  It was a cutter, 88-89.  You have to be ready.  You never know if your going to get a big at bat."