CINCINNATI -- Finally, the Cole Train rolled through Cincinnati. Pirates ace Gerrit Cole threw seven shutout innings and homered off right-hander Luis Castillo to record his first career win against the Reds -- 1-0 on Saturday night at Great American Ball Park.
Cole entered 0-6 with a 5.14 ERA in nine career starts against the Reds, seemingly unable to solve the Bucs' National League Central rival. But he figured it out, striking out six and allowing five hits -- all singles -- in his first scoreless start of the season. Castillo pitched a gem for the Reds, recording a career-high nine strikeouts while allowing only three hits over seven innings, but his lone, costly mistake came against Cole.