Thursday, October 1, 2026
73 ° Clear
73 ° Clear
Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler took the mound in Cincinnati, Ohio, looking like a man who had been passed over twice for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.
The 36-year-old righty took any perceived frustrations out on the Cincinnati Reds last night, allowing four hits and one run with 14 strikeouts (and no walks) in a 4-1 win at Great American Ballpark on the flowing banks of the Ohio River.
A three-run third inning took care of the bulk of the offense last night in Cincy. Trea Turner’s fielder’s choice allowed folk-hero Derek Hill to score the game’s opening run before slugger Kyle Schwarber launched a no-doubt-about-it 408-foot longball above the dark green wall to provide a 3-0 Phillies advantage.
Cincinnati’s Eugenio Suarez made Wheeler pay for his only mistake on the night in the bottom of the seventh inning, leading to a 362-foot solo home run down the left field line to slice the lead to 3-1.
Edmundo Sosa clawed that run right back with a sac fly that scored Turner to renew the 3-run lead.
MORE: MLB All-Star Guide: Every event taking place in Philadelphia this weekend
The game took an interesting turn in the eighth inning, including an eight-minute delay as the Phillies challenged a call at second base. Reds’ infielder Elly De La Cruz ran through the bag at second base as he successfully beat out a potential double play.
However, because the field umpires made no ruling on the play, it was unreviewable, leaving Phillies coaches unsatisfied with the explanation from home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez. Phillies interim bench boss Don Mattingly kept his cool, but pitching coach Caleb Cotham and infield coach Bobby Dickerson were tossed from the game after strongly voicing their opinion.
“In our minds, De La Cruz did not turn toward third at all,” Mattingly said postgame. In reviewing the video, the Reds star would’ve landed in left field if he didn’t stop running a few steps past the first base bag. Marquez confirmed post-game that the only thing the Phillies could challenge was a safe/out call at second base (which was clearly safe).
Once play resumed following the lengthy delay, Orion Kerkering walked JJ Bleday to load the bases, forcing Mattingly to turn to Jonathan Bowlan in the bullpen to get out of the jam.
The 29-year-old reliever struck out Suarez to preserve the game… and the sanity of Phillies fans all around the Delaware Valley on Wednesday night.
MLB All-Star Jhoan Duran sauntered into the game to secure his 22nd save of the season, adding three more strikeouts to raise his total on the season to 48 punchouts in 30.2 innings. He trails San Diego closer Mason Miller by one save for the National League lead, with five more ballgames until the week-long break for the Mid-Summer Classic in Philadelphia.
The victory improves the Phillies' record to 10 games above a .500 record at 51-41 with a second-place position in the National League East, just two games behind the Atlanta Braves (52-38) and one game in front of the surging Miami Marlins (50-42).
The Phillies do not have a listed starter for Wednesday night’s contest in Cincinatti. Recently, Mattingly has turned to Alan Rangel to hold down the early innings in these contests.
The 28-year-old has pitched four games this season with an 0-1 record and a 3.38 earned run average (ERA) in 16 innings. He is expected to face Reds ace Chase Burns (10-1, 2.40 ERA), a first-time All-Star Game representative for Cincinnati (alongside Sal Steward) next week in Philly.
