Phillies Drop Rubber Match To Reds 9-4, Lose First Series Under Don Mattingly
May 20, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Edmundo Sosa (33) reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Phillies entered the first series of a 6-game homestand with major momentum. They had been winners of 4 straight, had won all 6 series since Don Mattingly took over as manager, and had looked like one of the best teams in baseball throughout May. The Phillies were looking to enter special territory by winning their series against the Reds. Had the Phillies won, it would have put Mattingly and the Phils as the lone team in baseball history to win 7 consecutive series after bringing in a new manager mid-season. That magic ran out as the Phillies dropped 2 of 3 to a struggling Reds team. The nail in the coffin came in a rough 9-4 loss against the Reds on Wednesday afternoon.
The ballgame started well for the Phils. Aaron Nola worked through the 1st inning very easily, commanding his pitches well and attacking hitters. That led to a dominant inning, including striking out 2 Reds. The offense took advantage of the early momentum with Trea Turner starting the bottom half of the 1st with a walk, stealing second, and advancing to third on an errant throw from Reds catcher P.J. Higgins. After Adolis Garcia walked and stole second base, Bryce Harper scored the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to score Turner.
After the 1st inning, however, the tables turned, and it was all Reds the rest of the way. Nola lost command, and the young Cincinnati lineup made him pay. The Reds started the 2nd inning with 3 straight hits that tied the game up at 1, and ended up scoring 3 against Nola in the 2nd. The rest of Nola’s start was not any easier. Each inning, for the most part, he had to scratch and claw his way to get through. He was not making it easy for himself, and when facing a lineup with solid bats like the Reds do, it hurts. Nola’s line for the day ended with 5 innings pitched, 4 runs allowed on 8 hits, and striking out 5 Reds. His ERA on the season, through 10 starts, is 6.04.
The lineup was struggling after the 1st inning itself. Left-hander Andrew Abbott was working through the Phillies lineup cleanly and efficiently, and held a no-hitter against the Phils up until Brandon Marsh recorded an infield single in the 4th inning. Even with the slow start, the offense was able to get going in the 6th inning to bring the Reds’ lead down to 1. Alec Bohm lined a home run to left field, continuing his hot streak and increasing his hitting streak to 11 games. Edmundo Sosa later blasted a 2-run homer to make the game 5-4. Those two homers extended a streak for the Phillies as a whole; they are now tied with the franchise record of 17 straight series with a home run. While that inning and streak did not lead to a series win, it does bring a positive light that the offense still has a level of momentum heading into their next series against the Cleveland Guardians.
While momentum was there, it did not last. Tim Mayza was the first out of the bullpen in the 6th inning, and he allowed an RBI double to Dane Myers. Mayza came out to begin the 7th after the solid bottom half of the 6th for the offense, and he continued to struggle, giving up a single that Otto Kemp had a bad read on and misplayed the diving attempt. Orion Kerkering then came in to get out of the inning unscathed, and while he has been very reliable this season, Wednesday was not one of those days. He quickly gave up a single to put two Reds on, and then a 2-out 2-run double to Nathaniel Lowe.
The bullpen woes did not end there as Jose Alvarado entered a 7-4 ballgame in the top of the 9th, and gave up the dagger. On a 0-2 pitch to Sal Stewart, who had a phenomenal series against Philly, Alvardo threw a 91 mph inside cutter that Stewart blasted to the second deck in left field. The lone bullpen arm that pitched a scoreless appearance on Wednesday was Brad Keller in the 8th inning. The bullpen line on the day among 4 pitchers was 4 innings pitched, 5 runs allowed on 7 hits, and struck out 5.
Christopher DeMaio
Christopher is a Delaware County Native and a graduate of Devon Preparatory School, class of 2025. He is currently attending University and is in his second semester. Chris, growing up playing since the age of 4, fell in love with his hometown Phillies and continues that love with listening to sports radio, reading articles, writing for Philly Sports Reports’ Phillies team, and, of course, watching the Phils.
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