Marlins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco was knocked around as he lost his third consecutive decision Tuesday night against the Reds.
Nolasco (2-5), who made his ninth start of the season, allowed a run-scoring single to Brandon Phillips in the first and issued back-to-back walks with the bases loaded before surrendering a bases-clearing double to Xavier Paul in the second. Nolasco walked back-to-back hitters only 10 times in his first 203 pitching appearances, according to Stats LLC.
He allowed five runs in the second and was charged with six runs and seven hits over five innings of work. He struck out five and walked two in a 6-2 defeat.
"I've been doing a good job of staying away from that big crooked inning all year, but it got me today,” Nolasco told The Miami Herald after the game.
Nolasco has watched his ERA rise from 3.82 to 4.89 during his three-start losing skid. He is scheduled to take the hill Sunday at home against the Diamondbacks. He allowed five runs and six hits over five innings of work in his previous meeting with Arizona last season.