Despite adding three relievers at the trade deadline last week, the Cincinnati Reds’ bullpen remains a large question mark.
The bullpen has been a daily roller coaster with no exit.
Michael Lorenzen let out a roar when he struck out Brent Rooker to end the eighth inning Tuesday, stranding two runners in scoring position to protect a one-run lead, but it was an inning the Reds entered with a five-run lead. Lorenzen was the third reliever the Reds used in the inning.
Lorenzen, who returned quicker from his hamstring injury than anyone expected, pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his first save of the season to seal the Reds’ 6-5 victory at Great American Ball Park. Lorenzen has pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings since coming back from the 10-day injured list last week.
The Reds were five games out of a playoff spot, entering Wednesday, and can’t afford for their bullpen to spoil potential wins. Starting pitcher Luis Castillo certainly did his part, permitting one run in six innings.
Castillo, who struggled mightily over the first two months of the season, has transformed into one of baseball’s best pitchers. He’s posted a 1.91 ERA in his last 12 starts, which is the second-lowest ERA in the Majors since June 1.
“Any time he takes the ball,” Joey Votto said, “it is a good day for the Reds.”
Castillo struck out seven and walked one, mixing an effective changeup with his upper-90s fastball. He surrendered a two-out home run to Jorge Polanco in the first inning, the hero in Tuesday’s game, and didn’t have another runner touch second base until the fourth inning.
The Twins had their first two batters reach base in the sixth inning against Castillo through a single and a walk. Pitching coach Derek Johnson paid Castillo a mound visit and the message seemingly worked. Three pitches later, Castillo induced a double play, which included a nifty spin from shortstop Kyle Farmer.
The Reds erupted for four runs during a two-out rally in the third inning against Twins lefty Charlie Barnes, who made his second career start. Kyle Farmer hit an RBI single into left field, which drew inadvertent fireworks.
Votto followed with a two-run double into the left-center gap – albeit, without fireworks – as he continues to put up solid swings against left-handed pitching. Tyler Stephenson capped the rally with an RBI single to left field, scoring Votto from second base.
It was a similar two-out formula in the fourth inning. Shogo Akiyama drew a one-out walk and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt. Akiyama scored when rookie Jonathan India lined an RBI single into left field. India has six RBI in his last five games.
Stephenson added a run in the seventh inning when he thumped a 420-foot, solo homer to straightaway center. It was his sixth home run of the season and his first since June 26.
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