Castellanos solo homer in 9th lifts Reds over Nationals 7-6

CINCINNATI (AP) — Nick Castellanos hit a solo home run with one out in the ninth inning and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Washington Nationals 7-6 on Saturday night.

The Reds remained six games behind St. Louis, which has won 15 in a row, for the second NL wild-card spot. Cincinnati won back-to-back home games for the first time since sweeping Miami in a four-game series Aug. 19-22.

“That’s all we can do," Castellanos said. "The stretch that the Cardinals are on is truly impressive. It gets repetitive, but it is all we can control.”

Facing Patrick Murphy (0-3) in his second inning of work, Castellanos lined an 0-1 pitch to straightaway center field, extending his career-high homer total to 31.

The game-ending homer was the second of his career.

“I was looking to hit a home run," said Castellanos, who finished 2 for 3 with three RBIs. "I’m not going to beat around the bush. Any time a pitcher is in love with his fastball. If he wants to play fire with fire. I love that game.”

“Nick is a big time player," Reds manager David Bell said. "We’ve seen it all year. What a fantastic season he’s had. He’s finishing strong.”

Murphy was Washington's fifth relief pitcher of the game. The Reds used seven.

“Murphy came in there and threw well,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said. "He got that first big out in the ninth and then threw a fastball down the middle. He was throwing the ball well. He threw that first curveball to Castellanos and he reached 97 (on the next pitch), but Castellanos is a good fastball hitter.”

NL batting leader Juan Soto went 1 for 3 with two walks for Washington, leaving his average at .324.

Reds reliever Mychal Givens (4-3) escaped giving up a go-ahead homer in the ninth when Keibert Ruiz’s towering drive...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Castellanos-solo-homer-in-9th-lifts-Reds-over-16488083.php