It was one of those pitching matchups, Castillo vs. McClanahan, where no first names are necessary, and everyone expects a pitcher’s duel.
There was Luis Castillo in one dugout, the top pitcher available on the trade market this month. Shane McClanahan was on the other side, the favorite to start for the American League in the All-Star Game.
Saturday’s billing lived up to the hype.
"If there are a better couple pitchers in baseball," Reds Manager David Bell said, "I don’t know who they are."
There was no clear winner in the pitcher’s duel, but the Cincinnati Reds outlasted the Tampa Bay Rays for a bizarre 2-1 walk-off win in 10 innings.