CINCINNATI, May 23 (UPI) -- Luis Castillo hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning as the Florida Marlins avoided a sweep with an 8-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds Thursday.
With the score tied 1-1 and two outs in the fourth, Reds starter Jose Rijo walked Charles Johnson and pitcher Julian Tavarez.
Castillo followed by hitting a 1-0 pitch over the right field fence for his first home run of the season.
It also was the first career homer from the left side of the plate for the switch-hitting Castillo, who entered the season with just six home runs in 2,143 career at-bats.
Tavarez (2-3) went five innings, allowing three runs and eight hits with one walk and three strikeouts. He entered the game with a 2-1 record and 8.10 ERA in 17 career appearances against the Reds. Vladimir Nunez gave up one hit and two walks in two scoreless innings for his 10th save in 11 opportunities.
Rijo (4-2), who was trying to win three consecutive decisions in the same season for the first time since May 7-27, 1995, gave up four runs and six hits in 3 2/3 innings.
