WASHINGTON -- Before the Reds' 10-4 loss to the Nationals on Thursday night at Nationals Park, interim manager Jim Riggleman said he'd probably soon know which pitcher would be removed from Cincinnati's six-man rotation, which it's been using since July 22.
Tyler Mahle entered Thursday as one of those candidates, and he only worsened his case to remain a starter. The Reds pulled Mahle after just 1 2/3 innings against the Nationals, as the right-hander allowed six runs and three walks on 49 pitches, putting Cincinnati in a hole it couldn't escape for its third consecutive loss.