Cincinnati Red Luis Castillo pitched seven innings allowing just one run and Joey Votto hit his 27th home run in a 6-1 win against the Miami Marlins. Votto’s three-run blast was part of a four-run fourth inning that put the Reds up for good. The Reds gained a half-game on the Padres in the NL Wild Card race and sit just a game out of the final Wild Card spot. Cincinnati hosts Miami in game two of the series tonight.
Elsewhere in the National League
A Tyler O’Neill three-run home run highlighted a five-run fifth inning as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-4 at Busch Stadium. Lars Nootbaar also went deep in the fifth for St. Louis, which salvaged the series finale. The Cardinals host the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight.
Following an off day, the Chicago Cubs welcome the Kansas City Royals in interleague action today and the NL East leading Atlanta Braves open an