CINCINNATI — There is a long list of disputes, gamesmanship and skirmishes — big and small — that have dotted the rivalry of the Reds and Cardinals over the years. For the second time this season, Reds right fielder Nick Castellanos became part of a page in that history.
The tone of the 12-2 Reds rout over the Cardinals in Game 2 of their seven-inning doubleheader on Wednesday — after they fell, 5-4, in Game 1 — was established early when Castellanos slugged two home runs with six RBIs through two at-bats in the first two innings. But it was the grand slam Castellanos hit in the bottom of the second that drew dispute from the St. Louis dugout.
Facing J.A. Happ for the second time, Castellanos crushed a 1-2 pitch to left-center field for a grand slam and a 6-1 lead. Upon returning to the dugout, Cardinals manager Mike Shildt appeared to request that umpires check Castellanos’ bat, which had been given to a kid seated by the home dugout.
The four umpires convened and then approached the Reds’ dugout to discuss with Castellanos and manager David Bell and request the bat be inspected, because Shildt thought it was chipped at the end of the barrel. The bat, which was retrieved, was looked over and given back to Castellanos before being returned to the young fan.
Crew chief Phil Cuzzi determined that nothing on the bat affected the outcome of the contact. Then Shildt requested a video review for a rules check to confirm that the umpires followed the correct procedures under MLB rules 3.02 and 6.03 (a)(5).
Rule 3.02 states “The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood.”
Paraphrasing rule 6.03 (a)(5), umpires can call a batter out for using an illegal bat.
It was determined that the umpires could use their own discretion to allow the home run ruling to remain. But Castellanos’ bat was removed from further use for safety reasons. Therefore, the grand slam counted, giving Castellanos his 26th homer of the season, one shy of his career high.