Mahle's quality start spoiled as Reds fall 6-0

Published May. 6, 2018 10:09 a.m. ET

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Starlin Castro drove in three runs with a homer and a double, backing another strong performance by Caleb Smith, and the Miami Marlins beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-0 on Saturday night.

The Marlins will try to win their fourth straight series on Sunday.

Miami got Smith (2-3) from the Yankees in the offseason as part of a deal for right-hander Michael King. The left-hander has been stingy in his last three starts, allowing only two runs and seven hits in 18 2/3 innings with 26 strikeouts.

Against the Reds, he gave up three hits and fanned seven in 5 2/3 innings, escaping threats created by a couple of Marlins errors. Three relievers completed a four-hitter.

Miami's struggling offense got the early lead with a pair of homers off rookie Tyler Mahle (2-4). Martin Prado doubled in the first and Castro followed with his 100th career homer. Justin Bour added a solo shot in the sixth inning, his team-leading sixth homer.

Castro's RBI double started a three-run rally in the eighth. Brian Anderson singled home two more.

Miami's J.T. Realmuto went 0 for 3 and was hit by a pitch, ending a 12-game hitting streak that was the longest active in the NL.

The Reds fell to 8-25, matching the second-worst start in club history from 1934. They were shut out for the fifth time, tied with Miami for second-most in the NL behind Milwaukee.

THE DOCTOR IS IN

Marlins manager Don Mattingly received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of Evansville. Evansville President Thomas A. Kazee traveled to Milwaukee when the Marlins played there last month to privately present the degree, which was announced Saturday as part of the school's commencement.

"I'm excited about it," Mattingly said. "I had two brothers go to that school, so since I was a kid I would go to their games."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Reds: RHP Michael Lorenzen threw 40 pitches without problem at the Reds' spring training complex. He has been sidelined since the start of the season with a strained pitching shoulder. He's scheduled to throw batting practice on Monday.

UP NEXT

Marlins: Dan Straily (0-0) makes his second start since returning from an inflamed right forearm. He has lost both of his career appearances against his former team.

Reds: LHP Brandon Finnegan (0-2) has been the victim of blown saves in each of his last two starts. The Reds have lost all of his four starts this season.