Reds, DeSclafani make unfortunate history in loss to D-Backs

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani dominated the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday. He allowed one run on a sacrifice fly while striking out five over seven innings of work.

Despite the gem, the Reds' offense couldn't push a single run across the plate, losing 1-0 despite allowing just a single hit.

Since the Reds didn't issue a walk, it's the first time since at least 1900 that a team lost while allowing only one baserunner in a nine-inning game, according to the Elias Sports bureau.

"Disco was outstanding tonight," Reds manager David Bell said, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "Give him all that credit. One baserunner. You can’t do any more than what he did tonight."

The lone hit was a leadoff triple off the bat of Nick Ahmed in the third inning.

DeSclafani, who threw 53 of his 78 pitches for strikes, may have been able to finish the game had his team mustered anything against his opponent Merrill Kelly. Kelly allowed three hits (all singles) and two walks over seven scoreless.

"Disco probably gets a complete game there if we didn’t have to hit for him in the eighth," Bell added. "We had to try to score to try to tie or have a chance to win the game. Otherwise, he was so efficient. He was strong. There’s been a couple times, a lot of our pitchers this time of the year can be fatigued. He wasn’t showing any signs of that, which is good."

DeSclafani has been a reliable arm in the Reds' rotation. Over his last 14 starts, he's 5-5 with a 3.22 ERA.