Phillies' offense goes quiet in 4-1 loss to Reds

Matt Breen, The Philadelphia Inquirer on May 19, 2026

Published in Baseball

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PHILADELPHIA — Rafael Marchán cradled the throw from Bryce Harper in Tuesday’s seventh inning, appearing for a moment to secure an out the Phillies needed to move closer to escaping a bases-loaded jam. The umpire ruled Cincinnati’s Blake Dunn out at the plate but a replay review soon said that he beat Harper’s throw to Marchán. The inning kept rolling, a one-run hole soon grew to three runs, and the Phils’ 4-1 loss to the Reds felt sealed.

The Phillies, playing a second straight day without Kyle Schwarber, had just three hits and did not put a runner in scoring position after the first inning. The Phillies looked punchless, which is why allowing two extra runs in the seventh inning felt so deflating.

The Phils chased Paul Skenes on Sunday but struggled Tuesday against Cincinnati ace Chase Burns. He allowed just three hits, one of which was a solo homer by Trea Turner in the third inning. The right-hander, who lowered his ERA to 1.83, struck out nine and walked none over six innings.

Even with the loss, the Phillies have still won 16 of 21 since Don Mattingly became the interim manager on April 28. They have yet to lose a series with Mattingly and can win their seventh on Wednesday afternoon.

Jesús Luzardo pitched six innings for the Phillies and allowed two runs over five hits. He struck out five and walked two. His damage came in the fourth inning when Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz led off with a triple before Dane Myers and JJ Bleday each hit sacrifice flies. Luzardo has now allowed two runs or less in five of his last six starts.

Mattingly lifted Luzardo in the seventh for Tanner Banks, who allowed a double, single and walk to load the bases with no outs. Ke’Bryan Hayes then grounded to Edmundo Sosa, who threw home for the first out. Banks was lifted for Jonathan Bowlan and Matt McLain grounded to Harper, who threw home for what appeared to be the second out. But the runner was safe upon review and De La Cruz walked with the bases loaded to bring in Cincinnati’s fourth run.

Banks faced just one left-handed hitter (Bleday), but Mattingly likely used the left-hander in anticipation that Cincinnati would pinch-hit with one of their three left-handed hitters if the Phillies went with a righty.