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Cincinnati Reds: Three takeaways from the walk-off loss to the Dodgers

ByDrew Koch|
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: (R-L) Former Los Angeles Dodgers Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig and Turner Ward of the Cincinnati Reds look on during the first inning on Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: (R-L) Former Los Angeles Dodgers Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig and Turner Ward of the Cincinnati Reds look on during the first inning on Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Cincinnati Reds
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Luis Castillo #42 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches during the first inning on Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

2. Luis Castillo was good, but not great

Luis Castillo’s line was not what we’ve been accustomed to in the early part of the 2019 season, but La Piedra was good enough last night against one of the National League’s most dominant offenses.

Castillo went just 5 innings, but still struck out 7 batters. He allowed 2 runs, but most alarming was the 5 walks that Castillo issued to the Dodgers. Castillo walked 5 batters just one time (May 19th versus the Chicago Cubs) last season. Hopefully this is a blip on the radar screen.

The 7 strikeouts are nothing to sneeze at. The Los Angeles Dodgers possess one of the top offenses in the league and on several occasions Castillo’s changeup made them look silly. But make no mistake, last night was a grind for Castillo.

After a ground rule double in the bottom of the 1st inning by Cody Bellinger put the Dodgers on the board, Castillo reared back and struck out the next two batters. AJ Pollock and Max Muncy both went down swinging.

Castillo wiggled out of again the 3rd inning. After walking Justin Turner and pulverizing Bellinger in the knee with a 96-MPH fastball to put runners on 1st and 2nd, Castillo dialed up some magic and sent down Pollock and Muncy one more time.

After 2 singles and a force out in the bottom of the 5th put runners on 1st and 2nd with just 1 out, Castillo walked Alex Verdugo to load the bases. The dreaded walk to bring in a run followed when Castillo gave Pollock a free pass on 5 pitches. However, he limited the damage to just one run with a strikeout and a lineout to end the threat.

Luis Castillo’s performance on Monday night was far from his best outing, but he limited the damage and escaped disaster on multiple occasions. For the game, the Dodgers were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left 9 men on base.

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