The Philadelphia Phillies hit a bump this week, losing two of three games to the Cincinnati Reds after a 9–4 defeat in Wednesday’s series finale. The loss snapped a six-series winning streak under interim manager Don Mattingly and marked the team’s first series defeat since he took over. With consecutive losses, the Phillies slipped back to an even 25–25 record through 50 games, while Mattingly’s overall mark now stands at 16–6.
Mattingly remained confident after the game, emphasizing that nothing he sees worries him about the team’s ability to be what it needs to be moving forward.
Cincinnati controlled much of the series, winning two of the three games in Philadelphia. Nathaniel Lowe was the difference-maker in the rubber match, collecting two doubles and driving in three runs, including a key two-run double in the seventh inning. Spencer Steer stayed hot with two more hits to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, and Sal Stewart added his 12th home run of the season. Reds starter Andrew Abbott earned the win, improving to 4–2 after allowing two runs, one earned, over 5 1/3 innings.
The Phillies’ offense struggled early, going nine straight innings without a hit before Brandon Marsh reached on an infield single in the fourth. That hit ended a long drought that dated back to Trea Turner’s solo home run in Tuesday’s loss.
Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa provided most of the offense for Philadelphia. Bohm hit a solo homer in the sixth inning, and Sosa followed with a two-run shot later in the frame to pull the Phillies within one run at 5–4. The Reds, however, quickly regained momentum and continued a series in which they scored in nearly every inning.
Aaron Nola took the loss for Philadelphia, falling to 2–4 on the season after giving up four runs on eight hits in five innings. The bullpen also had issues, with several relievers allowing runs and traffic on the bases. Kyle Schwarber missed his third straight game due to a stomach illness.
The Phillies will enjoy an off day Thursday before returning home to open a weekend series against Cleveland.