Categories: 2021 Postgame Recaps

Phillies offense explodes for seven home runs in win

Final Score: Phillies 17, Reds 3

Andrew McCutchen hit two home runs on Tuesday night. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/Icon Sportswire)

Coming into Tuesday’s game, the Phillies offense had scored just nine runs in their last four games. They were scuffling. But the bats — led by Rhys Hoskins, Odubel Herrera Andrew McCutchen — exploded against Reds pitching, and the team scored 17 runs on 18 hits.

It was a much needed win for a Phillies team that had dropped three straight. They improve to 26-29 on the season, and look to win the rubber match against the Reds on Wednesday afternoon.

Top Plays

The Reds struck first in the bottom of the second. After Tyler Stephenson singled to start the frame, Tyler Naquin hit a two-run home run to right-center to give Cincinnati a 2-0 lead.

The Phillies struck back in the top of the third, though. Ronald Torreyes hit his first home run since 2017 to begin the inning, and Herrera homered to tie the game, 2-2.

The Phillies took the lead in the top of the fourth, when J.T. Realmuto reached on an infield single and moved to second on a throwing error. Realmuto scored on a single by Alec Bohm with two outs to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead.
The Phillies added onto their lead in the top of the fifth. After Jean Segura, Hoskins doubled to left field to send him home and extend the Phillies lead to 4-2.
The Reds got one back in the bottom of the fifth. After Jonathan India singled and stole second, Mike Freeman singled to score him and make it 4-3.
Aaron Nola struck out Jesse Winker in the bottom of the fifth inning to record his 1,000th career strikeout.

The Phillies’ offense caught fire in the top of the sixth. McCutchen, Herrera and Hoskins all homered, and Torreyes drove in Bohm with an RBI double — his second extra-base hit of the night. When it was all said and done, the Phillies were leading 10-3.

The Reds got two runners on in the bottom of the sixth before Nola recorded an out. Ranger Suarez then came into the came and escaped with no damage after getting Naquin to ground into a double play and Scott Heineman to strike out.
The Phillies added some insurance in the top of the eighth, when McCutchen crushed a three-run home run — his second long ball of the game.

Oh, you thought the Phillies were done? Not quite. After loading the bases against Reds infielder Alex Blandino, Matt Joyce hit a grand slam to extend the Phillies lead to 17-3.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Aaron Nola’s struggles continued in Tuesday’s game despite the win. The right-hander went five plus innings, but allowed 10 baserunners and only struck out two. He did get help from his defense, who turned three double plays during his outing. Nola has allowed at least three earned runs in six of his last eight starts, and his ERA now sits at 3.84 on the season.

Sonny Gray struck out eight Phillies, but did not have a very efficient night. He allowed four earned runs and was chased from the game when Hoskins hit his RBI double, and failed to last five full innings. He has a 3.84 ERA on the season.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: The Phillies offense

It’s hard to choose just one guy here. McCutchen and Herrera both homered twice, Hoskins and Torreyes both had multiple extra-base hits and Alec Bohm had three much-needed base hits. It was a well-rounded game for a Phillies offense that had struggled so much of late.

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