The Philadelphia Phillies lost two of three games against the Cincinnati Reds, falling 9-4 in Wednesday’s series finale and bringing an end to their six-series winning streak under interim manager Don Mattingly. It also marked Philadelphia’s first series defeat since Mattingly replaced Rob Thomson, dropping his record to 16-6 at the helm. Following back-to-back losses, the Phillies returned to the .500 mark at 25-25 through 50 games.
Cincinnati dictated much of the series and claimed two of the three games in Philadelphia. Nathaniel Lowe led the way in the deciding matchup, recording two doubles and three RBIs. His biggest hit came in the seventh inning when he lined a two-run double off Orion Kerkering on a 2-1 fastball that struck the center-field wall. Spencer Steer continued his hot streak with two hits to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, while Sal Stewart launched his 12th homer of the year. Reds starter Andrew Abbott improved to 4-2 after surrendering two runs, one earned, across 5 1/3 innings.
“We’re fine,” Mattingly said after the game. “There is nothing in here that scares me that we’re not going to be the team that we need to be.”
The Phillies struggled offensively early, going nine consecutive innings without recording a hit before Brandon Marsh beat out an infield single in the fourth inning. It was Philadelphia’s first hit since Trea Turner’s solo homer in Tuesday’s defeat.
Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa supplied most of the offense for Philadelphia. Bohm connected on a solo home run in the sixth inning, and Sosa followed later in the frame with a two-run shot. The Phillies cut the deficit to 5-4, but the Reds quickly regained control and continued a series in which they scored in all but one inning.
Aaron Nola got the start for Philadelphia and absorbed the loss, slipping to 2-4 after allowing four runs on eight hits over five innings. The bullpen also encountered problems, as Tim Mayza, Orion Kerkering, and Jose Alvarado each surrendered at least one earned run during the series.
Kyle Schwarber missed his third straight game because of a stomach illness.
Philadelphia is off on Thursday before welcoming the Cleveland Guardians for a weekend series at Citizens Bank Park.