By routing the Miami Marlins 14-0 on Tuesday at Great American Ball Park, the Reds (2-8) ended an eight-game losing streak, won for the first time since Opening Day and doubled their win total, avoiding their worst start, through 10 games, in more than 80 years.
The offense awoke in a major way with Matt Kemp, Eugenio Suarez and Scott Schebler hitting back-to-back-to-back home runs in a seven-run sixth inning. Kyle Farmer added a three-run home run in the seventh inning.
With 14 runs, the Reds increased their season total to 35. They scored 40 percent of their season total in the first seven innings and scored more runs in those innings than they did in the first seven games combined.
The offense overshadowed a dominant start by Luis Castillo, who allowed two hits and struck out eight in seven scoreless innings. He lowered his ERA to 0.92 in three starts.
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Suarez and Schebler got the offense going with RBI hits in the first and third innings, respectively, and Jesse Winker’s second hit of the season, a two-run home run in the fourth, gave the Reds a 4-0 lead.
The Reds entered the game seeking to avoid their first 1-9 start since 1937. The 1-8 start was their worst since 1995.
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