The Big Pod Machine: Reds on the road, looking at the All-Stars and an update on River Watch
Reds Beat Reporter Gordon Wittenmyer and Sports Reporter Pat Brennan discuss the current state of the Cincinnati Reds.
PHILADELPHIA − The Cincinnati Reds quickly found themselves in a 3-0 hole against the Philadelphia Phillies after one inning, but deficits like that are becoming less and less consequential for the Reds.
Deficits, both early and late in games, are being erased at a more frequent clip of late, and overcoming the Phillies‘ early lead was the latest example of that.
Cincinnati rallied for a 9-6 win Friday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, where the NL East-leading Phillies raced out to a 3-0 advantage in the first inning and had their fans cheering at full throat shortly after the 1:07 p.m. first pitch.
As the Reds had done several times in recent weeks, they climbed back into the game and salvaged it. Cincinnati grabbed one run in the second inning, five in the third inning, and took the lead on a two-run double by Spencer Steer during that frame. The Reds would add to their lead, cede some of it, but ultimately hang on.
After the meat of the Phillies’ star-studded lineup brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the eighth inning against Reds reliever Tony Santillan, closer Emilio Pagán made easier work of the ninth inning for his 19th save in 22 opportunities.
The comeback win was the Reds’ fourth since June 24. Cincinnati also came back late in Wednesday’s victory against the Boston Red Sox, and walked off the San Diego Padres and the New York Yankees on Sunday, June 29, and Tuesday, June 24.
The month of June saw the Reds win in walk-off fashion three times.
Friday’s deficit wasn’t insurmountable, and the Reds had eight at-bats to get back into the game. But the net effect of the growing number of comeback wins in all their various sizes is a confidence among Reds players that they replicate the feat.
“I think they know now (if) they keep playing, we’ve got a chance,” Reds manager Terry Francona said, “and when you’ve got something to show for it, it really helps.”
Friday’s victory also saw the Reds preserve starting pitcher Andrew Abbott’s 7-1 record. Abbott has been the Reds most consistent pitcher, and has a credible case for inclusion in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta.
While Abbott’s outing of 3 1/3 innings against Philadelphia was his shortest of the year, his teammates ensured that wouldn’t be reflected in his record.
“You’re gonna have these games, right? You’re just out there trying to compete, trying to get as many outs as you can for the team,” Abbott said. “Bullpen picked me up big time today and the hitters picked everybody up… It’s not always like that but it’s great when it does happen.”
The Reds fired back immediately after going in the 3-0 hole. By the middle of the third inning, they were doubling up the Phillies at 6-3. The lead would grow to five runs at 9-4 in the fifth inning, and Cincinnati knocked Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo out of the game after just two-plus innings.
“Quick answer after they put up that three,” Steer said. “Hats off to Abbott throwing as long as he did into that game. He battled for us. He gave us everything he had today and the offense did a great job keeping the line moving.”
Steer said the Reds became aware of talking points being raised outside of their clubhouse regarding their inability to win when trailing after seven innings. Whether they disliked the noise or not, the quieted the conversation down and the comebacks have continued.
“We were hearing a ton of noise about how we weren’t coming back and I forget what the stat was but there was a stat that was kind of circling around about how we didn’t have a comeback win after the seventh (inning), I think it was,” Steer said. “I think once we did that once, it’s kinda like the lid comes off the basket a little bit and they start falling.
“Just understanding that when we go down early, a lot of game left. I think, offensively, we’re finding our stride. We’re taking good at-bats, putting pressure on defense and when we do that, we’re a tough team to beat.”