By John Fay
Enquirer staff writer

Aaron Harang blamed his previous two rough starts on the hot bats of the Houston Astros.

When the results were virtually the same against the Milwaukee Brewers, it's time to get concerned.

Harang is.

"I can't explain it," Harang said. "I've got to work it out and try to figure something out. When I throw, I feel like there's nothing behind it."

Brewers' Bill Hall jumps over Anderson Machado after forcing him out and throwing to first on a double play attempt in the eighth inning. Jacob Cruz was safe at first. (AP photo)

Harang was the chief victim in the Reds' 11-0 loss to the Brewers on Sunday before 17,236 at Great American Ball Park.

Harang went 4 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits. He gave up three home runs, all to ex-Reds - two by Russell Branyan and one by Brady Clark.

Reds manager Dave Miley doesn't see a drop in velocity.

"He is getting the ball up," Miley said. "When you look at the replays, the ball's right over the plate."

Harang has allowed 11 home runs in his last three starts - as many as he allowed in his previous 21.

The ugly streak started immediately after a 1-0, three-hit shutout of St. Louis. That start put Harang at 8-6 with a 4.14 ERA. He's 0-3 with a 12.15 ERA since.

"It's one of those flukes in baseball," Harang said.

The Reds hope so. Harang, 26, is being counted on to be in the rotation next year.

"I'll look at the video and talk to (pitching coach Don Gullett) and try to work it out in my side session," he said. "I want to finish the season strong."

Harang never had it Sunday, allowing a run in the first.

It looked for a moment as if the Reds tied it in the bottom of the first. Ryan Freel hit one to the wall in left-center to lead off the game. It went off a fan, but second base umpire Chuck Meriwether signaled home run, the fireworks went off and the run went up on the scoreboard.

But after consultation with the rest of the umpiring crew, it was ruled the fan leaned over the wall, making it a double.

"They got it right," Miley said.

Harang gave up a solo shot to Branyan in the second, a two-run shot to him in the fourth and a three-run shot to Clark in the fifth.

That gave Brewers starter Ben Sheets a 7-0 lead.

All he needed was a one-run lead. He went seven shutout innings, allowing three hits and no walks. He struck out 11.