The last time Reds manager David Bell wrote Joey Votto's name for his lineup's leadoff spot -- before Games 1 and 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader vs. the Royals -- was May 7, 2019, at Oakland. Cincinnati was no-hit by Mike Fiers in that game.
In Game 1 at Kauffman Stadium, Royals starter Brad Keller didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning. Meanwhile, Luis Castillo labored in a poor outing on the mound. Overall, it made for a rude return to action for the Reds, who were defeated, 4-0, by Kansas City.
Cincinnati had been idle since Saturday after a player tested positive for COVID-19.
Keller, who gave up only two singles over six innings when he faced the Reds on Aug. 12 for a 5-4 win at Great American Ball Park, surrendered his first hit when Tucker Barnhart led off the sixth with a single to center field. The No. 9 hitter, Barnhart was promptly erased when Votto followed by grounding to shortstop for a double play. Mike Moustakas and Shogo Akiyama hit back-to-back two-out singles in the seventh to spoil the complete game.
Only one Reds batter could not be retired by Keller -- Jesse Winker -- who walked three times in three plate appearances. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, hitless performances by pitchers in scheduled seven-inning games are not credited as no-hitters.
Castillo appeared frustrated by home-plate umpire John Tumpane's strike zone as he gave up four runs (three earned) and five hits with two walks over 3 1/3 innings and 89 pitches.
"I think it was just a bad outing, to be honest," Castillo said via interpreter Jorge Merlos. "A couple of the pitches weren’t there that were not called for me, and a couple of the pitches just weren’t there. For me, really, it’s just a bad outing and it’s tough for the team to have another loss."
Castillo, who struck out five, endured a 35-pitch first inning with three runs crossing. It started with a Whit Merrifield grounder to shortstop, with Votto dropping Freddy Galvis' throw to first base for an error. Hunter Dozier drew a one-out walk and Jorge Soler drove in the game's first run with a double to left field. Ryan O'Hearn's two-run single to right field made it a 3-0 game.
An infield hit to Votto by Adalberto Mondesi would lead to a fourth run. With Tejay Antone replacing Castillo with one out, a Merrifield single past drawn-in second baseman Josh VanMeter scored Mondesi.
According to Statcast, Royals hitters appeared successful at laying off Castillo's strong changeup. He threw 27 changeups with 14 swings, and it forced him to use other pitches.
"This team was really good at taking that changeup, and that’s why I had to throw my fastball right there," Castillo said. "That’s just part of the game. It just happens."
While members of the Reds’ rotation have enjoyed strong starts to the 2020 season -- including Sonny Gray and Trevor Bauer -- Castillo is still searching for his first win after five starts. He is 0-3 with a 4.44 ERA, and going back to last season, Castillo is on a seven-game streak without a win, since Sept. 13, 2019, at Arizona.