With a hungry Tampa team in town and the brilliant Shane McClanahan on the mound, it was always going to be a tall task for what’s left of the Cincinnati Reds to squeeze out a victory in their series opener. With Joey Votto still out with a sore back and an injured list four miles long, it was evident early on that they’d need someone to lean on to have any chance on the night.
Fortunately, resident ace Luis Castillo was on the bump, and was leaned-upon early and often. And like the stalwart he’s become, Castillo neither bent nor broke, leading the Reds charge in what resulted in a 2-1 win in 10 innings.