CINCINNATI — Nicholas Castellanos got the last word.
The Cardinals are left with only their explanations.
A day after the Reds outfielder drew the ire of the entire Cardinals team for how he stood over a rookie pitcher and taunted him, Castellanos backed such bravado with force. With a base open and a chance to avoid Castellanos, the Cardinals instead challenged him. He responded with a tiebreaking, three-run homer that sent the Cardinals reeling into an ugly, stinging 12-1 loss Sunday at Great American Ball Park.