Rookie Mahle struggles again

Eugenio Suarez isn’t pleased with himself after striking out against the Nationals’ Max Scherzer in the first inning.

June 6. He’s 0-3 since, and he’s added a more than a run to his ERA.

“He’s struggling,” Riggleman said. “He’s toying with his delivery and what side of the rubber he’s standing on. His quality

pitches have gotten away from him. He’s going out there with just a fastball and not really locating that.

“So, yeah, there’s reason for concern.”

Mahle worked a 1-2-3 first. He gave up a single to Bryce Harper to start the second. He then walked Juan Soto. After Mahle got Matt Adams to ground out — with the runners advancing — the Reds intentionally walked Daniel Murphy. Matt Wieters hit a sacrifice fly.

Two outs, a run in. No big deal.

But Mahle couldn’t hold it there. He gave up a hit to pitcher Max Scherzer that got another run in. Mahle then hit Adam Eaton with a pitch. Trea Turner singled in two more runs.

Anthony Rendon singled — off of second base umpire Andy Fletcher — to reload the bases. After Mahle walked Harper to force in a run, Mahle was done.

Keury Mella came in and walked in another run to make it 6-0.

In his first appearance for the Reds this year, Mella went 4 innings and gave up the one run on three hits. He walked four and struck out two.

Eugenio Suarez got the Reds on a board with a two-run homer in the fourth.