For the second straight night, the Reds forced headline writers everywhere to come up with yet another way to say “this offense can't score for crap” after a 7-0 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Aaron Harang took the mound and allowed four runs (two earned) on eight hits and one walk through seven innings. Kent Mercker, fresh off the disabled list, worked the eighth and allowed three runs (earned) on two hits and two walks. Matt Belisle held 'em hitless in the ninth.

The Reds' five hits were contributed by Felipe Lopez, Ken Griffey, Jr., Scott Hatteberg, Austin Kearns, and Harang.

Harang's hit came to lead-off the bottom of the fifth inning. The previous inning, Adam Dunn and Rich Aurilia walked before Hatteberg and Kearns made outs. Jason LaRue came up with two outs and worked a full count. Finally, he would try to pull back his swing at ball four and struck out. He was mad because he didn't think he went around, but I was mad because he pulled back.

The number eight batter can't try to draw a walk to load them up for the pitcher in the fourth inning, I said indignantly to my Crack Technical Staff. If it's hittable (and it was), he's got to hit it. Then Harang got his hit to lead off the fifth and my Crack Technical Staff made fun of me. I still think he should have swung.

The loss brings the Reds record to 27-22, their losing streak to three, and their shaking-your-head-and-sighing quotient through the roof. They attempt to avoid the sweep this afternoon by sending Bronson Arroyo up against Enrique Gonzales. Gonzales brings no record and no ERA to the game, so maybe this will be the game the Reds finally score a run against the Diamondbacks.