After Cincinnati Reds right fielder Nick Castellanos’ two-run home run in the seventh inning of the Reds 5-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, Castellanos said he made a comment in the dugout about needing to hit better.
All season, Castellanos said he has felt he has struggled hitting with runners in scoring position. His 415-foot home run to left field in the seventh meant a step in the right direction.
“Honestly, I need to be better with guys in scoring position,” Castellanos said. “To come through right there in a spot for the team, for all the fans here, that was money.”
But in those situations, Castellanos has been better than he gives himself credit for. Castellanos has been one of the best hitters in MLB in any situation this season.
Castellanos leads the National League with a .343 batting average, and he’s hitting just as well between the seventh and the ninth innings. In extra innings, Castellanos is a perfect 5-for-5 with five RBI.
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Even in the situation Castellanos felt he has struggled the most in, with runners in scoring position, Castellanos has a .270 batting average with 21 RBI in 43 games.
In other words, Castellanos has been clutch all year.
“I do think there are certain points in the game or at-bats or plays that he makes, it really only comes from a desire to win,” Reds manager David Bell said. “There are certain points, certain plays that happen. This guy just wants to win. That's what allows him to keep competing nine innings no matter what and (that's) a big part of why he's such a good player.”
On Thursday against the Braves, Castellanos carried the Reds to the 5-3 win with four RBI.
His 415-foot line drive in the seventh inning got the crowd of 23,941 fans at Great American Ball Park louder than it has been all season. When Castellanos returned to the field for the top of the eighth, many of those fans shouted “MVP.”
“To be out there hearing all the chants, hearing everybody yell and get excited –– even on close pitches you hear the fans get excited –– that’s all energy on us as competitors,” Castellanos said. “Can’t speak for everybody in the dugout, but I particularly thrive off all of that and I know there’s a lot of guys on our squad that do also. Keep it up Cincy.”
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Castellanos gave the Reds a 4-1 lead with his home run in the seventh inning. After the Braves scored two runs against Reds reliever Tejay Antone, Castellanos added on another RBI with a single off the top of the right field wall.
He finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate with four RBI.
With Lucas Sims on the 10-day injured list, the Reds bullpen was missing its second best pitcher and the team leader in saves. Castellanos gave the bullpen margin for error, and the bullpen needed it.
Antone, making his second appearance since coming off the injured list, entered the game in the eighth inning with a three-run lead.
Five consecutive batters reached base against Antone, whose curveball didn’t have its typical break. After allowing two runs, Antone had an 0-2 count against Braves catcher Kevan Smith, but Smith drew a walk that loaded the bases with one out.
The go-ahead run was on second base, but Antone got out of the jam with a strikeout with his curveball and a popout with his sinker.
“We haven't seen Tejay have too many innings like that,” Bell said. “He's human. At the same time, even though it wasn't his best inning, he still has incredible stuff. I trust him.”
Rookie starting pitcher Tony Santillan allowed just one run on Thursday while striking out a career-high eight batters in his third MLB start. His slider was nearly unhittable –– Braves hitters swung at 19 of them and whiffed on 13 of those swings.
Reliever Amir Garrett followed Santillan with a scoreless seventh inning for the Reds, and Castellanos’ home run extended the lead to 4-1. The Braves cut into that lead against Antone, but Reds reliever Brad Brach closed the game with his first save since 2018.
“At this point, especially here leading up to the All-Star break, every win is going to be huge,” Brach said. “We all know the trade deadline is coming up, and we hope that we're a team adding pieces when it comes time for that. Really, it's just one game at a time, but we're happy to be home. And tonight was encouraging.”
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