Cincinnati Reds Avoid Sweep with 6-4 Win Over Phillies

W: Anthony DeSclafani (4-4)

L: Aaron Harang (4-6)

SV: Aroldis Chapman (10)

The Cincinnati Reds probably should’ve been going for a sweep on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies, but thanks to a faulty bullpen, they were instead looking to avoid being swept. Fortunately for the Reds, the bullpen was able to hold on in this one (though not without a good scare, of course) for a 6-4 win on getaway day.

Just like they did in the first two games of the series, the Reds got the scoring started as Todd Frazier‘s run-scoring double in the first gave his team an early one-run lead off of ex-Reds pitcher Aaron Harang.

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The Phillies grabbed the lead in the bottom of the first, but the Reds took it back in the fifth with a two-run inning. Brandon Phillips picked up his second of three hits on the night and first of two runs batted in to tie the game. Then things got weird, as Anthony DeSclafani was thrown out at plate by a mile with the bases loaded, but was ruled safe after a review because Phillies’ catcher Carlos Ruiz went for the tag instead of the force out and blocked the plate in the process.

Three more runs were added in the sixth. Billy Hamilton scored two with a line-drive single to center and Phillips plated another with a single of his own.

On the mound, the Reds got another solid outing from DeSclafani. The rookie gave up a pair of runs in the first, but settled down after that as he was able shut the Phillies out through the seventh inning. He started the eighth inning, but gave up a single and a walk before being removed.

Tony Cingrani entered the game and allowed both inherited runners to score, but was able to keep the Reds in the lead with a pair of strikeouts. DeSclafani was charged with both runs and finished having allowed four runs on six hits and two walks with no strikeouts.

After blowing a 4-0 lead in Wednesday’s game, Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth to secure his 1oth save of the season.

Other Notes:

• A statistical oddity for you: this was the first time this season that the Reds won the final game of a road series.
• Phillips was absolutely on fire in this series, going 8-for-15 with three doubles, four runs batted in, and a steal.
• Though he had an RBI double in Thursday’s win, Frazier struggled at the plate in Philadelphia after winning NL Player of the Week honors last week, notching just one hit in 15 at-bats.

Up Next: The Reds head back home to Great American Ball Park on Friday to take on the San Diego Padres as Raisel Iglesias will face off against Tyson Ross. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.

Next: Reds bullpen blows another lead in 5-4 extra inning loss to Phillies