Reds Offense Calls in Sick Again as Cincy Falls 4-0

May 24, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tony Cingrani walks off the field at the end of the second inning during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

PHOENIX- Dropping donuts in the run category of the box score has officially become a habit for the Cincinnati Reds. They have now been shut-out six times already this season, and we’re not even out of May yet.

The Reds managed to hit into double plays after getting the lead-off man on base in three separate innings tonight (3rd, 4th, and 6th) against Josh Collmenter of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Their batters also only lasted five pitches in the 8th inning. At least they didn’t leave any runners on base! But the Reds might as well have, with those three DPs.

Tony Cingrani also had a tough performance on the night, allowing seven hits in only five innings. JJ Hoover replaced him in relief and gave up an earned run and two hits in two innings. Sean Marshall closed out the game for the Reds, allowing only one hit in one inning, with no earned runs. Cingrani is now 2-5 on the season, with a 4.01 ERA.

Collmenter had never previously pitched a complete game before tonight, but his three-hit shutout of the Reds truly was impressive. Tonight, he resembled a seven-year veteran. He only reached a three-ball count once (against Zack Cozart) per Reds television announcer Thom Brennaman.

The batting continues to struggle, and it just makes you wonder if this team is ever going to find an offensive rhythm in 2014. With the 3rd-fewest runs in the Majors this season, it doesn’t seem to be in the cards for this line-up. Things should improve when Joey Votto returns, but it is going to take a lot to bring this team back to the top. Brayan Pena did manage to hit his eighth double of the season, but was thrown out trying to stretch a fly-out into a sac-fly.

This is the fifth game out of the past six that the Reds have lost.

Tomorrow’s game features longtime Cincinnati Red Bronson Arroyo (4-3, 4.15 ERA) battling Mike Leake (2-4, 2.79 ERA) at 9:40 pm in Phoenix.

TV: FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

Radio: 700 WLW