You’re out of order!: Phillies 4, Reds 1

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CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 07: Manager Don Mattingly #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies (C) holds back infield coach Bobby Dickerson #9 as umpire Alfonso Márquez #72 looks on during the eighth inning of the baseball game at Great American Ball Park on July 07, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Two of their four All-Star pitchers bookended a dominant night on the mound to pilot the Philadelphia Phillies (51-41) to a 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds (41-49) in the the opening game of the series.

The 18 strikeouts the Phillies’ staff collected were a season high, as they were for the Reds’ hitters who coughed them up.

Zack Wheeler matched his career high with 14 punch outs across his seven innings pitched, equaling the mark he set back in May of 2021 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Zack Wheeler matched a career high with 14 strikeouts tonight! pic.twitter.com/fssiD7nySx

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 8, 2026

The Phillies got on the board first after a one-out double by Derek Hill and a single by Justin Crawford put runners on the corners for Trea Turner who grounded out to short to score Hill. Kyle Schwarber came up next and got the green light up 3-0 in the count to smash his majors-leading 31st home run to right center.

Kyle Schwarber's MLB-leading 31st home run pic.twitter.com/0szXlTGQWD

— MLB (@MLB) July 7, 2026

The Reds cut into the lead with a leadoff homer by Eugenio Suarez off of Wheeler in the seventh inning.

CIN – Eugenio Suárez Solo HR (9)

362 ft | 96.2 mph | 38°
️ 80.5 mph sweeper (PHI – RHP Zack Wheeler)
️ Out in 17/30 parks

PHI (3) @ CIN (1)
7th#ATOBTTRpic.twitter.com/PjwUi8Su1C

— MLB Home Runs (@MLBHRs_) July 8, 2026

The Phillies would get it right back in the eighth after Turner beat out a throw for an infield single to lead off the frame. A single by Schwarber and a walk by Alec Bohm loaded the bases for Edmundo Sosa who scored Turner on a sacrifice fly.

Orion Kerkering was a one-man dinner and a show again as he threatened to yield the lead by loading the bases on walks. After the second one, Sal Stewart grounded to third for what might have been an inning-ending around-the-horn double play if not for a clever play by Elly De La Cruz to run through the bag at second instead of sliding or making a turn to third. After the dust settled on a challenge and an eight-minute delay, Phillies’ coaches Caleb Cotham and Bobby Dickerson were both ejected and De La Cruz remained at second. Kerkering finished loading the bases before being bailed out by Jonathan Bowlan to escape the trap.

Elly De La Cruz was ruled safe at second even though he ran through the bag.

After Don Mattingly and the Phillies argued, the call stood.

Technically, the umpires could have said De La Cruz abandoned the bag and called him out, but they elected not to and called him safe.… pic.twitter.com/fXNPnuEDGt

— Reds Daily (@RedsDaily4) July 8, 2026

DON’T HOLD BACK BOBBY pic.twitter.com/sYFVi47EVq

— tricia. (@trishadelphia) July 8, 2026

Jhoan Duran got all three outs via the K for his 22nd save of the season.

FINAL: Philadelphia Phillies 4, Cincinnati Reds 1.

Jhoan Duran seals the Phillies win with confirmed strike 3 after ABS

: #MLB on NBCSPpic.twitter.com/mBFD16YEo6

— (@TheLokiLad) July 8, 2026

Phillies have yet to announce their starter for tomorrow’s game on ESPN Wednesday Night Baseball. Chase Burns goes for the Reds.

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