Categories: 2021 Postgame Recaps

Phillies trounced by Reds on Memorial Day

Vince Velasquez struggled on Monday. (JCS/Icon Sportswire)

Final Score: Reds 11, Phillies 1

The Cincinnati Reds entered Monday with a -26 run differential, having lost nine of their last 13 games.

You wouldn’t know that from how good they looked against the Philadelphia Phillies in their Memorial Day matinee, though.

The Reds were without All-Star candidate Jesse Winker and former National League MVP Joey Votto Monday, but that didn’t stop them from putting up 11 runs on 11 hits. It was the type of game that makes you wonder about the potential merits of a mercy rule.

With the loss, the Phillies have dropped three straight games, and nine of their last 12. Joe Girardi will send Aaron Nola to the mound Tuesday, hoping that the former All-Star can be a stopper as the team looks to avoid falling out of playoff contention before the summer even starts.

Top Plays

Both Odúbel Herrera and Rhys Hoskins reached base on short singles against Reds starter Wade Miley in the top of the first inning, but Brad Miller popped out to end the inning.
Vince Velasquez and Herrera came up in the top of the second inning with runners on first and second base, but neither were able to bring Alec Bohm home, as Herrera grounded out to end the frame.
The Reds made the Phillies pay for not coming through with runners in scoring position in the bottom of the second inning. Max Shrock hit a 393-foot two-run home run off of Velasquez in the second, giving. the Reds a 2-0 lead:

Cincinnati wasn’t done in the second after the home run, though. Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart doubled into right field to follow the home run, with Velasquez then walking both Shogo Akiyama and Eugenio Suárez. While Velasquez had done well in recent outings pitching with runners in scoring position, he didn’t have as much luck Monday, as Tyler Naquin brought two more runs home with an RBI single.
Velasquez was fortunate to escape the second inning down just 4-0, as Nicholas Castellanos nearly hit a three-run home run with two outs. Fortunately for the Phillies, the ball died at the warning track, with Herrera putting it away.
J.T. Realmuto was able to get the Phillies on the board in the top of the third inning with an RBI fielder’s choice. His ball – hit to shortstop Kyle Farmer – plated Jean Segura, who had doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third base on a sacrifice fly.
Farmer added onto the Reds lead in the bottom of the third inning, hitting a two-run home run off of Velasquez that travelled 386 feet:

In the top of the fourth inning, the Phillies again failed to capitalize with runners in scoring position. Both Nick Maton (pinch hitting for Velasquez) and Herrera had opportunities with runners in scoring position, but Maton struck out and Herrera hit a weak liner to second. Through the first four innings of Monday’s game the Phillies were 0-8 with runners in scoring position, with the Realmuto RBI fielder’s choice serving as the only silver lining in a very ugly reality.
Schrock continued an impressive day in the bottom of the fifth inning, bringing Castellanos home with an RBI triple off of Chase Anderson. Later in the inning, Shrock scored on an RBI single by Farmer, making it an 8-1 lead for the Reds.
The Reds continued to add onto their lead against David Hale in the bottom of the seventh inning. With the bases loaded, Farmer doubled into right field, which brought two more runs home. Akiyama added an 11th and final run with an RBI groundout.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Vince Velasquez did enter Monday with a 2.95 ERA, but his 4.63 expected ERA and 4.94 FIP suggested that he was due for some regression, and that’s what happened in Cincinnati. Across three innings, the 28-year-old allowed five hits and six earned runs, while walking three. His ERA went up over 100 points Monday, and now sits at 4.08.
On paper, Wade Miley had a very nice day today, scattering six hits and one run – while striking out six – over six innings. With context, though, the Phillies simply let the 34-year-old off the hook Monday, going 0-9 with runners in scoring position against Miley, and leaving seven runners on base.

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Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Max Schrock

Schrock did leave the game in the bottom of the seventh inning with what appeared to be an injury to his left foot, but only after the 26-year-old had the best game of his young career. Schrock went 3-4 with a home run, triple and double Monday, while driving in three runs. Frankly, though, we may have subbed Kyle Farmer, who had five RBIs himself.

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