Votto blasts 3-run homer, Reds rebound to beat Marlins 6-1

CINCINNATI (AP) — Joey Votto slammed a three-run homer, Luis Castillo pitched seven innings of one-run ball and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Miami Marlins 6-1 on Thursday night.

Votto's 428-foot shot into the seats in right-center — his team-leading 27th homer — highlighted the Reds' four-run fourth after Miami right-hander Nick Neidert had faced the minimum in the first three innings.

“Joey Votto, every night he does something cool,” said Reds second baseman Jonathan India, who had two hits, an RBI and scored on the homer. “It's so fun to watch, and he's been a leader all year for us. When Joey goes, we go.”

Castillo (7-12), averaging 97 mph on his four-seam fastball and sinker, allowed eight hits and struck out seven. Michael Lorenzen retired the Marlins in order in the eighth, and Tony Santillan did the same in ninth.

“I felt spectacular today, commanding the zone and commanding all my pitches as well,” Castillo said.

Kyle Farmer also hit a run-scoring double for the Reds, who rebounded after dropping two in a row and the series to the depleted Chicago Cubs.

Cincinnati moved within a game of the San Diego Padres for the second NL wild-card slot.

“They're all going to be really important the rest of the way,” Reds manager David Bell said. “I was just really happy with just our whole day today.”

Neidert (1-2) — who got his first win of the season Aug. 4 but was demoted to Triple-A Jacksonville right after — was recalled before the game to start. He allowed four runs and five hits through five innings.

“Outside of the fourth inning, I had a good outing," he said. "Even in the fourth inning, if I could have minimized the damage it would have been a good night.”

Jorge Alfaro had an RBI single in the fourth for the...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Votto-blasts-3-run-homer-Reds-rebound-to-beat-16399526.php