The Reds offense again failed to come through for Bronson Arroyo on Thursday and, worse yet, also didn't come through for the relievers in this 6-1 loss to the Cardinals.

Arroyo was hardly the character of legend that everyone was so enamored with a couple months ago. He gave up five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and a walk through seven innings. This was his 10th attempt at win number 10, and now his record is 9-8. Not that I'm gloating.

Todd Coffey gave up zero runs on one hit in the eighth. Rheal Cormier gave up a home run (earned) in the ninth.

Just like the first game of the four-game series with the Cardinals, the lone Reds run came off a solo shot from Javier Valentín. The Latin Love Machine has been crowded out this season, what with David Ross being adequate and riding the coattails of the previously Homeric but now homer-ific Arroyo, but have no doubt: Love is still in the air.

You'll be surprised to learned that Scott Hatteberg continued to hit consistently going 3-for-5 on the night. He's hitting .330.

The loss brought the Reds' record to 59-56. They opened a three-game series against the Phillies on Friday, sending Kyle Lohse out to face Jon Lieber.