CINCINNATI (AP) — Luis Castillo tuned up for his first All-Star Game with an absolute gem.

Castillo struck out nine while pitching one-hit ball into the eighth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the slumping Milwaukee Brewers 1-0 on Thursday.

“This was the best outing, not only of the season, but of my career,” Castillo said.

Cincinnati won for the fourth time in five games. Jesse Winker went 3 for 3 and scored the only run on Yasiel Puig’s first-inning single.

Castillo was winless in three previous starts against Milwaukee this year, but he was terrific this time around. He was working on a no-hitter before rookie Keston Hiura singled with one out in the seventh.

Castillo (8-3) pitched seven sparkling innings in a 1-0 loss to Milwaukee on April 3.

“In his last two starts, we did a great job laying off things,” Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said. “His command in those starts wasn’t as good.”