Smith sharp, helps hand Reds 5th shutout

CINCINNATI — After such a slow start to the season, the Reds started to make some strides offensively throughout the past two weeks.

Consider Saturday’s matchup against Miami pitcher Caleb Smith a step backward.

The Reds were shut out for the fifth time this season in a 6-0 loss to the Marlins at Great American Ball Park in front of a crowd of 19,609.

Smith (2-3), who has thrown 12 consecutive shutout innings, overpowered the Reds with a lot of movement on his fastball and a strong slider. He struck out seven in 5 innings, giving up three hits.

Reds starter Tyler Marlins 6, Reds 0

Mahle (2-4) couldn’t match him, surrendering a pair of home runs. Against Smith, there was no room for error.

"Six innings, three runs isn’t a good day in my opinion," said Mahle, who allowed three runs on five hits. "So no, I’m not happy with that at all."

In the top of the first inning, Mahle fired a high slider that didn’t slide, which Starlin Castro pulled over the left-center wall for his first home run of the season and 100th of his career. Castro received the silent treatment from his teammates in the dugout as they congratulated Martin Prado, who singled beforehand and scored on the homer.

Justin Bour added a solo home run in the sixth inning after Mahle retired nine hitters in a row.

The Reds produced two hits in the first four innings, which included a bunt single from Jose Peraza. Pitching from the stretch, Smith forced Joey Votto into a double play following Peraza’s 60-foot hit.

The Reds had their best opportunity to score in the fifth inning. Adam Duvall reached on an error and Scott Schebler added a one-out single. With two runners on base, Devin Mesoraco grounded into a double play.

The Marlins added three runs in the eighth inning on an RBI single by Castro and a two-run single from Brian Anderson.