Latest shutout loss sets unfortunate franchise record for Marlins

Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani dominated the Marlins on Wednesday night as the Fish trailed wire to wire in a 5-0 loss. On the whole, Cincinnati has outscored them 40-9 in six meetings this season.

• Anthony DeSclafani: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K on 110 pitches
• Sandy Alcantara: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 8 K on 102 pitches

On a night when Sandy Alcantara had arguably his best fastball of the year, the 23-year-old’s stat line suffered the most on a hanging changeup to Aristides Aquino. The mighty rookie outfielder laced it down the left field line for a three-run home run in the first inning.

The 3-0 advantage would be more than enough for the Reds, but for good measure, Tucker Barnhart delivered a two-out double later on. Then, Eugenio Suárez added a solo homer against Jeff Brigham in the top of the eighth. It was Suárez’s fourth consecutive game going deep.

Generally regarded as one of the weakest links in a talented Reds rotation, DeSclafani was near-perfect on this occasion. He carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning, broken up by a Neil Walker single (but Walker was quickly erased from the basepaths on a double play). No Marlins player reached base safely more than once.

There’s just something about Sandy that fails to motivate his teammates, I guess. The Marlins average 2.9 runs per game when he takes the mound this season, the lowest mark for any National League starter.

This was the 19th shutout for the Miami offense in 2019, most ever in franchise history (surpassing 18 shutouts in 2013). Alcantara has worked four of those scoreless games.

File this under small victories: Kyle Keller struck out the side in the ninth inning. Given the dreadful performance by the Marlins bullpen this month, every clean performance is worth noting as we look forward to next year’s roster possibilities.

The final Reds-Marlins matchup—in this series, and mercifully, this season—will take place Thursday at 7:10 p.m. Alex Wood and newly recalled Robert Dugger are the probable starters.

Reds vs. Marlins box score (Baseball Theater)

Fish Picks answer key

1. DeSclafani
2. Over
3. Under
4. Yes
5. Reds