Reds leave Gausman feeling blue (updated)

CINCINNATI - It's too early to reach for the panic button. Four starts don't define a season. Kevin Gausman could take the mound his next turn and dominate.

However, it's never too early to wonder what's wrong with a guy carrying his stuff who's getting knocked around.

Gausman was down 7-1 after only two innings tonight, with his pitch count at 64 and the chance at a quality start trashed. He's produced only one in his four outings this month.

The Reds sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning, nine more in the second and built a sizable lead at Great American Ball Park. The Orioles earliest interleague road game so far a disaster.

Adam Duvall lifted a sacrifice fly in the first inning after the Reds loaded the bases with no outs, and he hit a grand slam in the second while behind 0-2 in the count. A split-changeup didn't work its magic and the baseball disappeared into the left field seats.

Gausman was charged with eight runs in 2 2/3 innings, the last scoring on Joey Votto's two-run shot off Vidal Nuño to give the Reds a 9-1 lead. Gausman allowed eight hits, walked three, struck out two and hit a batter. The eight runs tied a career high.

Tonight marked Gausman's shortest outing since he lasted 2 1/3 innings on Sept. 2, 2015 against the Rays.

Thirteen of 20 batters reached against Gausman, whose ERA jumped to 7.23 in 18 2/3 innings.

Gausman held the Blue Jays to one run in six innings in his last outing and was working on regular rest tonight. In his previous appearance, he gave up four runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings in his shortest career start against the Yankees.

Billy Hamilton singled, Jose Peraza walked and Joey Votto singled tonight to load the bases in the first. Duvall's fly ball to left field gave Cincinnati a 1-0 lead.

Scott Schebler struck out, but Zach Cozart singled for a 2-0 lead and Scooter Gennett reached on Manny Machado's fielding error to keep Gausman on the mound. He needed 26 pitches to get back to the dugout.

The Reds loaded the bases for the third time with one out in the second inning on a single, hit batter and walk - the variety pack for jams. Duvall cleared them with his first career slam.

Schebler struck out on a 97 mph fastball, but Cozart walked, Gennett singled and Tucker Barnhart delivered an RBI double to right-center field. Gennett was thrown out at the plate, the putout going 8-4-2. A momentary reprieve for Gausman, who would bat to lead off the top of the third and face three more hitters.

Reds starter Bronson Arroyo and Hamilton grounded out, but Peraza doubled and Nuno entered the game.

Votto homered and Duvall doubled to add another layer of muck.

Gausman threw 79 pitches, 42 for strikes. His next turn comes Sunday afternoon against the Red Sox at Camden Yards.

Manager Buck Showalter wants to keep Gausman on normal rest, a big reason why the right-hander started tonight instead of Ubaldo Jiménez.

The Orioles scored in the second inning on Welington Castillo's two-out double and Jonathan Schoop's soft single over Cozart's head.

Castillo has two hits, including a one-out single in the fourth after Chris Davis' leadoff double. Arroyo retired the next two batters to strand runners on the corners and maintain a 9-1 lead.

Instant update: Adam Jones hit a two-run homer in the fifth to reduce the lead to 9-3.