Philadelphia Phillies Embarrassed In Shutout Loss to Reds

The Philadelphia Phillies suffered an embarrassing defeat on Saturday evening when they were shutout by the Cincinnati Reds.

Kade Kistner | Apr 15, 2023

Philadelphia Phillies Embarrassed In Shutout Loss to Reds /

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Well, that is not the way the Philadelphia Phillies (5-10) planned on their Saturday going after being shutout and blown out by the Cincinnati Reds (6-8) in an 8-0 affair.

It comes on the heels of almost the mirror image on Friday when the Phillies defeated the Reds 8-3. Many thought it was an encouraging sign of things to come.

Alas, Philadelphia could not put together even a two-game winning streak.

Starter Matt Strahm had his first struggles of the season on Saturday. He entered the contest having pitched 10.0 scoreless innings of baseball. That all ended when Cincinnati first baseman Wil Myers launched a solo shot to left field, his first home run of the season.

It was also Strahm's first earned run of the season.

Strahm was then pulled in the third inning by manager Rob Thomson. There were two men on base without any outs, but he then struck out the next two batters before being yanked. Andrew Bellatti was then called upon and promptly gave up a home run to Myers, his second of the game (and season) but of the two-run variety this time.

That head-scratching move then opened the flood gates for the Reds.

Jonathan India added to the lead with a double to left field, scoring Jose Barrero to make it 5-0.

Myers continued his incredible day by hitting a double to left, scoring another run in the fifth to make it 6-0.

Then Cincinnati piled on more in the eighth when TJ Friedl notched an RBI-single scoring two more runners for an 8-0 lead.

Ouch.

But right when you thought it got bad, it got reallly bad. Like very very bad.

For the second time in 15 games, utility infielder Josh Harrison made an appearance on the mound. If you told me a month ago I would have to write that last sentence I would call you a liar.

But here we are.

And without boring you with all the details, Harrison gave up five runs.

And that's the game story.

It was atrocious. Awful. You name it. Just not a good day at the ballpark.

Looking on the bright side, the Phillies weren't no-hit. And Edmundo Sosa recorded two hits.

Anyways, Philadelphia will try and split the series against the Reds on Sunday. First pitch is at 1:40 p.m. ET.

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Published Apr 15, 2023

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.