Castellanos leads D-backs to 4-2 win over slumping Phillies

PHOENIX (AP) — Humberto Castellanos led the Arizona Diamondbacks with his arm and most surprisingly his bat, extending the misery of the Philadelphia Phillies as they try to keep pace in the National League playoff race.

Castellanos pitched into the sixth inning for his first major league win and added two hits at the plate to push the D-backs past the slumping Phillies 4-2 on Wednesday night.

“Happy about everything,” Castellanos said. "I think my (hitting and pitching) complement one another, and it helped me get my first victory."

The Phillies lost for the sixth time in eight games.

Philadelphia jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Odubel Herrera hit a leadoff triple and later scored on a passed ball. The Diamondbacks responded with one run each in the third, fourth and fifth innings and never trailed again. Castellanos helped himself with an RBI single in the fourth that scored Christian Walker.

The 23-year-old Castellanos (1-1) gave up just one run over 5 1/3 innings in his second MLB start. The right-hander gave up three hits and two walks while striking out one.

“He came in focused, ready and on the attack,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said.

Castellanos' two hits were the first of his big league career. He said he played third base when he was younger and is confident in his hitting ability.

“Anything in the zone, I’m swinging,” Castellanos said.

Arizona has the worst record in the NL, but continued to be a pain for teams in the playoff race. The D-backs beat the Padres in three out of four games over the weekend before taking the first two games from the Phillies.

Philadelphia has managed just seven hits over two games against Arizona. Manager Joe Girardi said it “can all start over tomorrow,” but that the Phillies need to start playing better in a...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Castellanos-leads-D-backs-to-4-2-win-over-16397045.php