Castro homers, makes pair of spectacular catches to lead Twins over Reds 7-0

Willi Castro hit a two-run homer and made two spectacular catches, Kenta Maeda combined on a four-hitter and the Minnesota Twins beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-0 on Tuesday night in another step toward their third AL Central title in five seasons.

Ryan Jeffers added a solo homer for Minnesota (80-72), which opened an eight-game lead over second-place Cleveland with 10 games remaining.

Cincinnati (79-74), shut out for the 10th time, remained out of the NL's three wild card berths.

In his first season after Tommy John surgery, Maeda (6-7) won his third straight start after four no-decisions. He allowed one hit in five innings, retiring his first 11 batters before Spencer Steer doubled to left and Jake Fraley. After a double steal, Castro made a diving catch of Tyler Stephenson's liner to center, which could have tied the game had it dropped.

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"It was exceptional," Maeda said through an interpreter. "That play saved us at least two runs. I want to give him as much hugs as possible."

Castro leaped at the wall to rob Stephenson of a home run in the seventh, a day after Michael A. Taylor denied Will Benson on a drive to center.

"Castro took four runs off the board tonight," Reds manager David Bell said. "It is amazing how a play like that can absolutely change a game. It changes how we manage the game and how they manage the game. It is all about players making plays. They were able to do that tonight."  

Willi Castro Jeff Dean / AP

Castro considered the second catch better, primarily because he was looking at his position card when Stephenson hit the ball.

"I didn't see him hit it, but I was able to track it," Castro said. "I think it was the best play. You don't see those plays too often."

Despite not having his best four-seam fastball, Maeda struck out eight and walked one. Kody Funderburk, Emilio Pagán, Caleb Thielbar and Dylan Floro finished the Twins' 12th shutout.

"I didn't feel perfect today, but I was able to get five innings," Maeda said. "I was able to use my offspeed pitches to get swings and misses."

Fernando Cruz (1-2) walked Max Kepler in the second and was charged with the game's first run when Matt Wallner singled off Buck Farmer, Castro homered in the seventh on a 352-foot fly to right off off Ben Lively that opened a 6-0 lead.

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TRAINER'S ROOM

Twins: INF Royce Lewis appeared to hurt a leg while running out a double-play ball in the sixth. He stayed in the game, then left after fouling off a 2-1 pitch in the eighth. Minnesota said he had left hamstring tightness.

Reds: OF Harrison Bader was diagnosed with a sports hernia. He will return to his home in New York to rehab, … INF Matt McLain (right oblique strain) is taking light batting practice.

UP NEXT

Reds RHP Hunter Greene (4-6, 4.45, 129 strikeouts) is due to face Twins RHP Bailey Ober (7-6, 3.67, 126 strikeouts) in Wednesday's series finale.

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