CINCINNATI -- Reds rookie starting pitcher Luis Castillo hasn't had any easy opponents through six big league starts. The flame-throwing righty has faced only first-place teams or playoff contenders thus far -- the Nationals (twice), Brewers, Rockies and D-backs (twice).
The first encounter with Arizona yielded Castillo's first win. On Thursday, a rough first inning was followed by an important course correction, but it was too late in Cincinnati's 12-2 loss to the D-backs.
"If you're going to face these type of hitters, you have to be 100 percent ready, mentally and physically," Castillo said via translator Julio Morillo.