The waters have been rocky, but the ship has sailed forward.
Monday, Aug. 3 is the 10-day mark since the start of the Cincinnati Reds’ season and it can be universally agreed that a 4-5 record was not the hopes of the team.
Coming off of a rain-shortened series with the Chicago Cubs, the Reds looked to avenge a disappointing opening weekend with Detroit as the Tigers were the home team this time.
Luis Castillo manned the mound in the series opener on Friday and was knocked around for five runs in six innings on eight hits. He held a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth for just three batters when Austin Romine doubled in the tying run and JaCoby Jones drove in the go-ahead run.
Rain called Saturday’s game off despite efforts to move up the start time. The first scheduled seven-inning doubleheader in Major League history was set for Sunday.
30-year-old righty Anthony DeSclafani made his 2020 debut by sitting down the first six batters he faced. He allowed two baserunners in the fifth behind a 3-0 lead and didn’t blink, finishing the inning and his day with a scoreless outing and no walks allowed.
However, the bullpen and a misplay in the outfield wiped away Disco’s party.
Victor Reyes hit a deep fly ball to right-center with the bases loaded. Former Tiger Nick Castellanos ranged far from his typical right field spot and the ball bounced off the top of his glove, allowing three runs to score.
Raisel Iglesias entered for Lucas Sims and shut the door to end the seventh, then earned the save after Shogo Akiyama hit a game-winning RBI single in the top of the final inning.
Game 2 of the doubleheader saw Trevor Bauer dazzle Detroit for his second career complete game shutout, the first of which also was thrown against the Tigers last season.
The weekend’s offensive heroes for Cincinnati were the outfield Nick duo, with each collecting three hits as Senzel knocked two doubles and Castellanos hit two home runs.
Several notes going into the new week include the status of three Reds. Joey Votto was placed on the injured list on Sunday with reported COVID-19 symptoms. Mike Moustakas was hit by a pitch on his left forearm during the first game Sunday and was out of the lineup for the second game. Nick Senzel may have also injured his left hand when he stretched a hit into a double during Sunday’s second game. He remained in the game and roped a second double later in the contest.
The Reds return to Cincinnati on Monday for two against the Cleveland Indians before traveling to Cleveland to round out the battle for the Ohio Cup. Sonny Gray will throw the first pitch against Zach Plesac at 6:40 p.m. EST.
