It had been 35 days since the Cincinnati Reds could claim a series for themselves.
Cincinnati cashed in on a three-run seventh inning Sunday and never looked back, holding down a 10-5 game and winning a road series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Tyler Mahle turned in a rather uncharacteristic start. He didn’t pitch out of the third inning for the first time since Aug. 23, which was also against the Cardinals. He allowed three runs on just four hits but surrendered four free passes and at least two baserunners in each inning of work.
Luis Castillo’s full postgame interview following his first career complete game 👇#LaPiedra | @Reds pic.twitter.com/dnw6Q19dWM
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) September 12, 2020
It took him 10 games to notch his first home run, but Eugenio Suarez belted his team-leading 13th homer of the season on Sunday.
Additionally, Brian Goodwin hit his first home run as a Red in Sunday’s game. He is 6-31 with four stolen bases in 12 games with Cincinnati.
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The Reds pitching staff also lost a key contributor to the injured list. Sonny Gray is suffering from a right mid-back strain, and his last start came Thursday when he allowed five runs in 3.1 IP.
Luis Castillo threw the first complete game of his career Friday as he held the Cardinals to two hits and one run. He was given early run support that likely expedited the process of settling down and controlling the game.
Tyler Stephenson is scheduled to make his first MLB start tonight in Chicago.
He comments on his feelings ahead of his big-league debut and how traveling with the taxi squad has been a huge help👇@Tyler_Step22 | @Reds pic.twitter.com/z7hPFrbIir
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) September 11, 2020
Catcher Tyler Stephenson returned to the main roster as Matt Davidson was designated for assignment on Tuesday. Stephenson cracked the starting lineup for the first time in his career on Thursday and went 1-4 with an RBI. The first runner he caught stealing was Billy Hamilton, who has played for the San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and Chicago Cubs in 2020.
The Reds return to Cincinnati for their final homestand of the 2020 season. A doubleheader kicks off a four-game set with Pittsburgh on Monday.
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The Reds have 13 games remaining to improve their record, which currently stands at 21-26. Significant ground could be made in the standings before a scheduled day off Thursday. This allows for preparation for the Chicago White Sox, the team with the best record (30-16) in the American League.
First pitch of the doubleheader Monday is at 4:10 p.m. EST with rookie Cody Ponce challenging Trevor Bauer.
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Main Credit Image: Embed from Getty Images
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