Reds beat Brewers 1-0 in classic pitcher’s duel on Independence Day

Two aces took the mound today for the Brewers and Reds. Brandon Woodruff and Luis Castillo pitched like the aces they are. Woody was sensational. His line was 6 innings pitched giving up just 1 run on 7 hits. He struck out 6 while walking none. Surprisingly he was removed from the game going into the seventh with just 88 pitches thrown.

Luis Castillo was even better. In fact he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. With one out in the seventh, Keston Hiura broke it up with a single up the middle. The Brewers were absolutely stymied by the Reds right-hander. The only thing that could stop him on this day was a rain delay. His day would end with the delay. His line was 7 ²⁄₃ innings pitched giving up nothing except the 1 hit. He struck out 9 and walked none.

The only action in this game came in the bottom of the first. Jesse Winker ripped the first of three hits he had off Woodruff into the right field gap. The result was a double. Joey Votto followed with a single that bounced off the glove of a leaping Mike Moustakas, making it runners on the corners and no one out. Woody struck out Eugenia Suarez, and he got Yasiel Puig to hit a ground ball to third.

Unfortunately, everything Puig does right now is golden. He rolled the ball so slowly to Moose that it resulted in an infield single, and a run for the Reds as Winker crossed home plate. Woody would pitch out of it afterwards, and continue to pitch extremely well over six innings. But the only damage needed for this game was done.

There was nothing happening offensively in this game. In fact, the Reds pitching staff held the Brewers scoreless over the last 23 innings of the series. The Brewers did make it interesting in the top of the ninth in the form of Christian Yelich. He laced a lead off double off the bottom of the right field wall. (If only there had been a bit more launch angle). Unfortunately the next three batters were unable to take advantage, and the Reds won 1-0.

The Brewers begin the first game of three against the Pittsburgh Pirates tomorrow. This will be the last series prior to the All-Star Break. Hopefully the Brewers have better results than they did last year against the same team in the last series prior to the break. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 CT. Zach Davies will pitch for the Brewers. Steven Brault will do the same for Pittsburgh. WTMJ and Fox Sports Wisconsin will carry the coverage.