A Reds' comeback rally fizzled in the rain as the Texas Rangers prevailed for the second game in a row in a 4-3 decision. The last three innings was played in a steady rain.
It was another one-run loss for the team that has a 9-15 record in game by that margin and a 4-10 mark in two-run games. The victories have been close but beyond their grasp.
"There is no good way to lose," David Bell said. "It just makes you feel that you are right there and you just have to figure out a way to win some of those."
The Rangers struck first against Roark.
Shin-Soo Choo reached base on an error by Joey Votto. Danny Santana singled Choo to third. Elvis Andrus hit a slow roller to third. Eugenio Suarez wanted to cut the runner at the plate but had trouble getting the ball out of his glove. He elected to throw Andrus out at first. With two out Asdrubal Cabrera delivered Santana for the second unearned run in the inning.
Mike Minor was breezing through the Reds' lineup. Suarez drew a walk in the first; Casali in the second.
Texas added on in the fourth. Roughned Odor hit a double down the third base line. Jeff Mathis singled to left to score Odor and took second when Phil Ervin's throw got through Casali for an error. Choo singled to put the Rangers ahead, 4-0.
The Reds were hitless when they came to bat in the bottom of the fourth. Suarez drew a leadoff walk. Yasiel Puig cut the lead in half with his 12th home run of the season off Minor.
The Reds threatened Minor in the sixth. Votto walked. Suarez singled sharply to left but Minor got the next three batters easily.
Roark settled in after the fourth. He retired the last 10 batters he faced to finish with a season-high seven innings. He allowed four runs, two earned on eight hits. He issued no walks and struck out five.
"We were in a situation in the fifth if we had a runner on we were going to hit for him," Bell said. "Tanner went out and pitched the sixth, then came back for the seventh. Those two innings were the best he's pitched all year."
The Reds came into the game with the second fewest errors in the National League. The Reds committed two in the first inning, leading to the unearned runs.
"Nobody is perfect," Roark said. "We picked up energy along the way. We scratched, clawed and fought. It is my MO to get my second and third win."
The tough loss is something that can only be overcome by staying the course with every body doing his part.
"We have to keep plugging away," Roark said. "You can't wait for the other guy to do it. You have to be that guy. You have to recall what got you here. Even go back to high school and find the confidence in yourself to play at a high level."
Casali touched Minor for his fourth homer of the season to lead off the seventh. Kyle Farmer singled. Minor struck out Tucker Barnhart as a pinch hitter then left the game in favor of Chris Martin.
Martin faced Jose Peraza, who replaced Nick Senzel in the fifth inning. Senzel fouled a ball off the plate and the rebound hit him square in his left eye. Peraza grounded into a 6-3 double play.
"The ball hit Nick right above the eye," Bell said. "He got some stitches. We will see how he is when the swelling goes down. I won't know until then if he can play or not."
Amir Garrett pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Puig's bid for a second home run died on the warning track to end the eighth
Michael Lorenzen pitched a scoreless ninth.
Shawn Kelley earned his ninth save with a scoreless eighth inning.
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