Marlins offense lifeless again in 5-0 loss to Cincinnati

Producing just one run in a three-game series is simply unacceptable, but for the Miami Marlins, it was reality during their visit to Cincinnati. Led by a stellar four-inning outing from former Yankee Sonny Gray, the Cincinnati Reds swept Miami with a convincing 5-0 victory Thursday afternoon at Great American Ball Park. Cincinnati, in the three games combined, outscored Miami 21-1.

Pablo Lopez was looking to do what Trevor Richards did to Cincinnati’s batting order last night, in which Richards tossed six shutout, dominant innings.

Lopez breezed through the first three innings, including back-to-back strikeouts to Joey Votto and slugger Yasiel Puig, who returned to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension for his actions during a home series versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The second time through the order gave Lopez a headache. Lopez allowed one run in the fourth, a Eugenio Suarez RBI single, and three runs in the fifth, paced by a crushing two-out Votto single that beat the shift, then a two-run double from Puig, swelling Cincinnati’s lead to four. Lopez exited after 4 ²⁄₃ innings of work.

The Marlins totaled five hits Thursday, two from third baseman Brian Anderson. They managed to secure one only win on the six-game road trip, their 4-2 victory against the Atlanta Braves last Saturday night.

Gray took a Miguel Rojas hard-hit baseball off the calf in the second and suffered a contusion, exiting the contest before the fifth inning took place. The Reds bullpen maintained the shutout for him, however, inducing several double plays to overcome traffic on the bases.

The Marlins will hope to turn around an ugly 3-10 start as the new-look, dangerous Philadelphia Phillies will walk into Marlins Park Friday night. It’s the start of a nine-game home stand (and Fish Stripes Night!). The pitching matchup Friday features Jake Arrieta vs. Sandy Alcantara.

Marlins vs. Reds box score (MLB.com)

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