CINCINNATI _ Caleb Smith might not be the next great thing for the Marlins. But, for now, he sure is looking the part.
Smith delivered another stellar outing Saturday as the Marlins knocked off the Reds, 6-0, to even the series. It was the third straight strong performance by Smith, whom the Marlins acquired from the Yankees in November for international bonus pool money.
Over his past three starts, Smith has gone 2-0 with a 0.48 ERA. He has struck out 26 batters while walking just two in 182/3 combined innings. That contrasts to his first four starts with the Marlins when he averaged nearly a walk an inning.
The sudden transformation has strengthened a starting rotation that was in sore need of a pitching boost.
On Saturday, Smith whiffed seven batters over 52/3 scoreless innings while limiting the Reds to three hits. Smith was bidding to become only the third pitcher in Marlins history to record at least nine strikeouts in three or more consecutive starts, but came up two whiffs shy.
While Smith was dealing, a lineup that has been starved for runs received a pair of home runs from Starlin Castro and Justin Bour. Castro's two-run shot in the first inning off Reds starter Tyler Mahle was his first of the season and 100th of his career. Castro hit his first major-league home run at Great American Ball Park as a member of the Cubs.
The Marlins will send Dan Straily to the mound on Sunday as they go for their fourth consecutive series win.
