Reds Sweep Phillies? YES! Reds Sweep Phillies!

If you are aware of how the Reds struggle against the Philadelphia Phillies, then that headline will surprise you.

But I swear it happened. Honestly, it did.

The first two games were nailbiters.

After the Reds snagged a two-run lead off Cliff Lee in the series opener (one run on a Lee wild pitch), the Phils bounced back to tie it on a Chase Utley pinch-hit, game-tying, two-run homer. Despite that, the Reds were up to the task. More specifically, Brandon Phillips was up to the task. After allowing that lead to slip away, it was apparent BP was a bit disgusted at the developments.

Well, Phillips found his stress relief in the form of a game-winning single to right field, scoring two.

And Derrick Robinson would score the game-winning run on Jackie Robinson Day…with a final of 4-2.

Apr 16, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey (34) throws against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park. (Photo: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports)

Last night, there was a rain delay prior to the game, a string of goose eggs on the scoreboard and another rain delay of 44 minutes when the game was suspended. Homer Bailey and Kyle Kendrick was simply unhittable, leading to the conclusion late this afternoon.

Zack Cozart may have found a home in the #2 spot in the batting order. He started the Reds half of the 9th with a single. Joey Votto was walked. I know. Big surprise there. The next at-bat was the key one.

BP fell behind 0-2 to Phillippe Aumont. He would work the count to 3-2 before lofting a fly ball toward Ben Revere. Surely, that would be the inning’s first out. I mean, Revere made that incredible catch in game 1 of the series.

But something odd happened this time. The ball glanced off Revere’s glove, resulting in an error and seeing the Reds with bases loaded. Jay Bruce was due up. And he made Aumont pay…on the first pitch.

Game two in the books and another “W”. Had the series won. Now, go for the sweep.

And game three had none of the tension of the first two games. Where offense was at a minimum in those games, the Reds bats opened a can in this game. What might surprise you is that Choo did not play and Votto was non-existent in this game. Here’s some offensive points:

• Derrick Robinson: drove in his first MLB RBI
• Zack Cozart: 3-5, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R
• BP: 2-2, 3 RBI
• Jay Bruce: 2-4, 2 RBI
• Todd Frazier: HR
• Devin Mesoraco: 2-4, RBI, 2 R
• Mike Leake: 3-4, RBI, 3 R

Not only did Leake pitch a gem (7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 SO), he aided his own cause at the plate.

For the entire series, Reds starters allowed only two runs. For the whole series, the Phils only crossed the plate four times. A stark contrast to the 19 this staff allowed in Pittsburgh.

Now, keep those bats warm guys.