Phillies’ offense goes quiet in 4-1 loss to Cincinnati Reds to snap a five-game winning streak
The Phillies, playing a second-straight day without Kyle Schwarber, had just three hits and did not put a runner in scoring position after the first inning.
Rafael Marchán cradled the throw from Bryce Harper in Tuesday’s seventh inning, appearing for a moment to secure an out the Phillies needed to move closer to escaping a bases-loaded jam. The umpire ruled Cincinnati’s Blake Dunn out at the plate but a replay review soon said that he beat Harper’s throw to Marchán. The inning kept rolling, a one-run hole soon grew to three runs, and the Phils’ 4-1 loss to the Reds felt sealed.
The Phillies, playing a second-straight day without Kyle Schwarber, had just three hits and did not put a runner in scoring position after the first inning. The Phillies looked punchless, which is why allowing two extra runs in the seventh inning felt so deflating.
The Phils chased Paul Skenes off the mound on Sunday but struggled Tuesday against Cincinnati ace Chase Burns. He allowed just three hits, one of which was a solo homer by Trea Turner in the third inning. The right-hander, who lowered his ERA to 1.83, struck out nine and walked none over six innings.
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“He’s good, man,” Turner said. “He has two really, really good pitches. It seems like he’s a competitor out there. It feels like if you miss that mistake then the at-bat gets a lot tougher. I think I saw 101. He has a great arm.”
Even with the loss, the Phillies have still won 16 of 21 since Don Mattingly became the interim manager on April 28. They have yet to lose a series with Mattingly and can win their seventh on Wednesday afternoon.
Jesús Luzardo pitched six innings for the Phillies and allowed two runs over five hits. He struck out five and walked two. His damage came in the fourth inning when Reds’ Elly De La Cruz led off with a triple before Dane Myers and JJ Bleday each hit sacrifice flies. Luzardo has now allowed two runs or less in five of his last six start. Luzardo, Zack Wheeler, and Cristopher Sánchez have a combined 0.64 ERA in each of their last two starts.
“That’s the key,” Mattingly said. “Those guys to keep doing that. And really all of our guys. [Andrew] Painter, the last two times, has kept us in the game. [Aaron] Nola’s last outing was rough but he kept us in the game before that. Some of those guys can be dominant.”
Mattingly lifted Luzardo in the seventh for Tanner Banks, who allowed a double, single, and walk to load the bases with no outs. Ke’Bryan Hayes then grounded to Edmundo Sosa, who threw home for the first out. Banks was lifted for Jonathan Bowlan and Matt McLain grounded to Harper, who threw home for what appeared to be the second out.
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Harper’s throw was low as he seemed to rush it to Marchán. In the fourth, Harper left first base to field a grounder to the infield that would’ve been an out if Harper allowed Bryson Stott to field it. But De La Cruz was on third and Harper was likely anticipating the runner to try for home.
“They’re tough because you want to make plays and you’re looking to be aggressive to the ball,” Mattingly said. “It’s a quick decision and has to happen fast. If you take the one step, you’re almost too far at that point … But if we’re going to make mistakes, I’d rather to make them going forward and not backing off. We want to stay aggressive and try to make plays.”
The runner in the seventh was safe upon review and De La Cruz walked with the bases loaded to bring in Cincinnati’s fourth run.
Banks faced just one left-handed hitter (Bleday) but Mattingly used the lefthander in anticipation that Cincinnati would pinch-hit with one of their three left-handed hitters if the Phillies went with a righty. Soon, the game felt like it was over.
There’s never not a good reason to talk baseball with Terry Francona. But with his current team (the Reds) in town, and because two of his former clubs (the Red Sox and Phillies) recently fired their managers, there's no better time to invite the future Hall of Fame manager for a conversation on "Phillies Extra," The Inquirer's baseball podcast. Watch here.
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