Phillies Offense Struggles, Drop Game 2 of Series to Reds
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain, left, turns the double play as he gets a force out against Philadelphia Phillies' Bryson Stott, right, during the second inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
The Phillies got a hefty dose of Chase Burns on a hot, rainy night.
The 23-year-old for the Cincinnati Reds has been fantastic all season, and he played the part on Tuesday night. He only gave up three hits and just one run, as the Phils’ offense went extinct all night. The youngster dropped his ERA to 1.83.
The only run the Phillies scored was on a home run from Trea Turner, but that was it as they recorded just three hits and dropped the second game of the series, 4-1. Having Kyle Schwarber absent for the second game in a row with an illness hurt, but with the lack of offense they received all game, it didn’t seem like anything would happen. The Phillies did not record a hit after Turner’s homer in the third inning.
Jesus Luzardo was on the mound for the Phillies in a battle between flamethrowers. Luzardo and Burns both went six innings, with Luzardo doing the job but getting no support from his offense. He did struggle with command and finding consistency with his sweeper, however.
Both pitchers would work through two easy innings before the Reds got to Luzardo in the third, in what seemed like it would lead to another meltdown for him. With runners on first and second with nobody out, a double play and a groundout got him out of the inning unscathed.
The Phils would capitalize right after escaping the jam, as Turner took a hanging slider from Burns to give the Phillies the first run of the game. It was his first homer since April 30th.
The Reds instantly took the lead in the following inning. An attempt to make a fantastic catch from Justin Crawford led to a triple, and an infield single and walk loaded the bases with nobody out. Back-to-back sac flies from Dane Myers and JJ Bleday were able to give the Reds a 2-1 lead, as Luzardo was able to get out of any further damage.
Burns just kept on rolling after Cincinnati grabbed the lead, working through two scoreless innings while taking full command of his two main pitches: his fastball and slider, striking out nine, and five in a row throughout the fourth and fifth.
Luzardo ended his night after a scoreless sixth, finishing with five hits and five strikeouts. Burns, meanwhile, worked his way through another scoreless inning.
Tanner Banks came on for the seventh and immediately gave up a leadoff double, and a poor throw from Bryce Harper put two runners in scoring position for the Reds. A walk loaded the bases with nobody out. A great diving stop from Edmundo Sosa to get the force out at home saved a run, as Jonathan Bowlan entered the game. It would be another play at the plate for the Phils’ defense as Harper made a bare-handed play to throw out the runner at third, but after replay, it was overturned, giving the Reds an insurance run. Bowlan would walk in another run, making it 4-1 Cincinnati.
As the rain fell, so did Burns, as his night was over after six innings. The Reds went to the bullpen and worked through a scoreless seventh and eighth. Two scoreless innings from Chase Shugart gave the Phillies one more chance in the ninth, but Tony Santillan retired the Phillies in order in the ninth, giving the Reds the 4-1 win.
The Phillies will look to salvage the series on Wednesday, with Aaron Nola scheduled to start at 1:05 p.m.
Andrew Glover
Andrew is in his first year covering sports for Philly Sports Reports. He is a podcaster and a digital content creator. Right now, he is in his second semester at Temple University pursuing a degree in Media Studies and Production. He has a certificate in Broadcast Journalism from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
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