Jesus Luzardo struggles, Phillies leave 11 runners on base in 9-6 loss to Reds
Jul 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third base Alec Bohm (28) tosses his bat after striking out with bases loaded to end the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Despite plenty of first-inning fireworks from the Phillies’ offense on July 4th, they fell short against a red-hot Reds team, 9-6.
The Reds took control of the game thanks to an offensive explosion in the top of the third inning and never let go of the lead beyond that. Jesus Luzardo struggled heavily with his control on the mound and would only make it 2+ innings before being lifted.
Top of the order totals 6 hits
It was a big day for the Phillies’ first 3 hitters, combining to go 6-14. They wasted no time getting on the board, putting up 3 runs in the first inning.
Trea Turner and Bryce Harper each got singles to set up Alec Bohm with runners on the corners with just 1 out, who brought home Turner via the sacrifice fly. The real fourth of July fireworks began with Nick Castellanos. Castellanos got things started with a 2-run shot to left field to put the Phillies up 3-0.
The top of the order struck again just 2 innings later. 3 straight singles to begin the 3rd inning from Kyle Schwarber, Harper, and Bohm gave the Phillies bases loaded with nobody out. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t get much out of it. Just 1 run off the bat of Castellanos, nearly hitting into a double play, scoring Schwarber from third.
With runners on the first and third with just 1 out, the Phillies still had room to do some damage. J.T. Realmuto struck out swinging to bring Otto Kemp to the plate now with 2 outs. Kemp swung at the first pitch he saw and nearly sent it into the stands, but it would come up just short. The Phillies got just 1 run off the bases loaded and no outs.
They’d have another chance to chip into the deficit in the 4th inning as Edmundo Sosa led off the inning with a double. A nicely placed bunt from Johan Rojas made it first and third with nobody out for Turner. This time, the top of the order let the Phillies down. Turner popped out, and Schwarber hit into a double play, and the Phillies came away with nothing.
Down 9-4 entering the 6th inning, the Phillies attempted to mount a Fourth of July comeback. A 4-pitch walk from Edmundo Sosa and a 1-out single from Brandon Marsh once again put some traffic on the bases. After a Turner groundout, Schwarber came through with a 2-run double to cut the lead down to 9-6.
In what was a common theme today, the Phillies failed to capitalize on an 8th-inning opportunity. Bohm came to the plate with the bases loaded and 2 outs. Bohm went down looking, and once again the Phillies left with nothing.
The Phillies got 14 hits off Reds pitching today, but the story of the game is leaving 11 runners on base.
Luzardo allows 5 ER in just 2+ innings
It was another tough outing for Luzardo. He struggled mightily with his command on the mound, walking 3 batters and giving up 6 hits.
The Reds got to him first with some small ball in the second inning. Thanks to 2 walks and a 1-out single, the Reds loaded the bases with just 1 out. Luzardo was able to limit the damage to just a run, but the real implosion came in the third inning.
After a bunt single and another walk, the Reds began to pile it on. Elly De La Cruz got it started with a one-run single to score TJ Friedl from second base. Former Phillie Austin Hays lined a RBI double off the right field wall to tie the game at 3-3. Spencer Steer gave the Reds the lead with another double, this time down the left field line.
Luzardo was pulled for Joe Ross before he could record a single out in the third inning. Luzardo’s up-and-down season continues as his ERA now rises to 4.44.
Ross was the first of 5 relief pitchers the Phillies used today. Ross got the Phillies out of the disastrous third inning, getting outs on a sacrifice fly and a double play. Ross struggled in the 4th inning, giving up back-to-back singles to set the Reds up with 2 on and no outs. De La Cruz brought a run home to up the Reds’ lead to 7-4. Ross managed to hold the Reds to just a run by forcing another double play to end the inning.
The 5th inning is where Ross began to fall apart. He again allowed back-to-back base runners to start the inning, giving the Reds first and second with no outs. An RBI single from Will Benson made it 8-4, and Santiago Espinal brought a run home on a confusing play. His hit made it to left field and was going to be a single, but Benson made a base running mistake and got thrown out at second base, technically making Espinal’s hit a fielder’s choice.
Tanner Banks would come on and end the damage by striking out Friedl. Banks came back on for the 6th inning and provided the team with their first 1-2-3 inning since the top of the first. Daniel Robert entered in relief of Banks for the 7th inning, allowing a walk to start the inning, but struck out the side from there. Jordan Romano pitched a silent 8th inning, and Max Lazar would do the same in the ninth.
The Phillies’ bullpen is in a weird spot right now. After having to use 6 pitchers in the day-night doubleheader against the Padres, they used 5 more relief pitchers today.
Ethan Whitney
Ethan is a writer for Philly Sports Reports and a Color Commentator for Rally Sports Network. He has been a massive fan of all Philly Sports for as long as he can remember and wants to share that passion with the world. He is looking for a long career in the sports media sphere.
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