Three home runs help power Pirates over the Reds, 6-3
CINCINNATI (AP) — Rodolfo Castro and Diego Castillo homered in a five-run fifth inning to power the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.
Castro hit a three-run home run off Mike Minor in the fifth inning. His eighth of the season. Castillo, who was recalled from Indianapolis before the game, hit a two-run shot — his 11th — to cap the inning.
"Brian got us on the board early, then we got a couple of balls that just got over the fence," Pirates' manager Derek Shelton said. "We had good at-bats all night."
Castillo had to travel from Omaha and arrived about three hours before the game.
"It was a crazy day," Castillo said. "I was working on hitting right-handed pitchers. I'm the same player. I'm going to swing hard all the time. I hit a cutter in. I was just trying to hit the ball hard. I was ready in the moment."
'"When he was here before he did a nice job against left-handed pitching," Shelton said. "There just weren't enough at-bats so we sent him. He came back up here against a left-handed starter and did a really nice job."
Aristides Aquino broke an 0-for-8 slide with his eighth home run with a man on to put the Reds on top. The line drive off Bryse Wilson was Aquino's eighth of the season and fourth in his last eight games.
Brian Reynolds started the scoring with his 22nd home run off Minor in the first inning.
Minor (4-11) came into the start with wins in his last three starts. He has allowed 23 home runs in 95 innings this season. He finished giving up six runs and seven hits in five innings.
Wilson (3-8) left with the bases loaded in the sixth inning with a 6-3 lead. Former Reds draft pick Robert Stephenson, who was claimed off waivers from the Rockies, retired Nick Senzel on a line out to center. Wilson allowed three runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.
"If there is one pitcher I want to get a hit off of it is Rob but I was happy with the at-bat," said Senzel, who has spent a couple days making adjustments at the plate. "It is important for us to build momentum to the end of the season. We can knock some teams out of the race. It is important to come out and compete every day."
The Pirates turned two double plays while he was on the mound. Wil Crowe pitched two scoreless innings to earn his fourth save.
"Six runs like that takes a lot of stress off the pitcher," said Wilson, who pitched four innings in which the Reds' leadoff batter reached base. "I was able to execute and command the ball really well. Sinkers were keeping it on the ground. I got a one double play on a two-seamer, the other was a slider. They are situations were I want to execute the pitch and get a ground ball."
The Pirates won for the fourth time in the last 21 games at Great American Ball Park.
JUST LIKE HOME
Brian Reynolds has eight career home runs at Great American Ball Park with three this season.
ROOKIE POWER
When Alejo Lopez hit his first career home run on Sunday in Milwaukee, he became the seventh Reds player since July 12 to hit their first major league home run.
MAKING MOVES
Pirates: Recalled IF Diego Castillo from Triple-A Indianapolis. Optioned If Hoy Park to Indianapolis. Added RHP Luis Ortiz to the Taxi Squad. He will be the 29th man for the doubleheader on Tuesday.
Reds: Placed RHP Justin Dunn on the Injured List. He is expected to be available Friday according to David Bell. Selected the contract of RHP Raynel Espinal from Triple A Louisville. Release OF Albert Almora Jr.
TRAINERS ROOM
Reds: RHP Connor Overton is slated to make a rehab start on Tuesday at Louisville. RHP Graham Ashcraft is scheduled to make a rehab start on Wednesday Double-A Chattanooga. RHP Hunter Greene completed a rehab assignment Sunday. His next start will be with the big league team.
UP NEXT
The Pirates and Reds play a doubleheader on Tuesday. RHP Luis Cessa (3-2 4,97) is expected to start the first game for the Reds. Bell has not made a decision for the second-game starter. RHP Johan Oviedo (2-2 3.90 and RHP Luis Ortiz (0-0 0.00) are scheduled to pitch for the Pirates.