Luis Castillo leaned on his changeup to pitch seven shutout innings, striking out a season-high 10 batters and leading the White Sox to a victory over the Reds. According to Statcast, Castillo threw 20 changeups among his 104 total pitches, generating whiffs on eight of 10 swings while securing half of his strikeouts with the offspeed offering.
Pitch Mix Dominance and Defensive Support
Castillo opened his outing by striking out Elly De La Cruz on consecutive changeups and closed his night by tripling up on them against Michael Toglia. Statcast data confirms that fastballs accounted for 61 percent of his pitches, while his slider also baffled hitters by inducing five whiffs on seven swings. “That’s the result when you have confidence in your pitches, confidence in your plan and we had a very good plan today,” Castillo said via interpreter.
Beyond his pitching, Castillo contributed with his glove in the fifth inning by making an athletic scoop and flip on a TJ Friedl drag bunt attempt. “I was impressed too with my speed,” Castillo said via interpreter. “I’m 33 years old and I was surprised that I was able to make that play.”
Offensive Execution and Late-Inning Insurance
The White Sox offense capitalized in the sixth inning when Colson Montgomery singled off a dangling changeup, chasing Reds starting pitcher Rhett Lowder. Chase Meidroth followed with a two-run homer off an elevated sweeper into the White Sox bullpen, breaking a 1-0 game wide open. “Treatment has been going well and everything feels good right now,” Meidroth said regarding his sore wrist. “Once you get in the game, adrenaline takes over.”
Drew Romo added to the lead in the eighth inning by slapping a first-pitch fastball through the middle for a 4-0 advantage, capping a night where he also hit a home run in the second. Relief pitchers Hagen Smith and Huascar Brazobán combined to shut the door over the final two frames, preserving the shutout and keeping the Reds without a runner in scoring position all game.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many strikeouts did Luis Castillo record against the Reds?
Luis Castillo struck out 10 batters over seven shutout innings, setting a new season high.
What drove the White Sox offense during the game?
Drew Romo hit a solo home run and an RBI single, while Chase Meidroth hit a crucial two-run home run in the sixth inning.
How do the White Sox stand in their division race?
Following this victory and results from other matchups, the White Sox lead their division by 3½ games with a 62-57 record.
What are your thoughts on Luis Castillo’s pitch selection and the team’s recent divisional momentum? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below, and subscribe to our newsletter for daily game updates and deep-dive analysis.
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