Andrew Abbot video talking about Reds loss to Phillies
Cincinnati Reds All-Star Andrew Abbott took a three-hit shutout two outs deep into the eighth inning before the Philadelphia Phillies rallied for four runs.
The heat of the pennant chase just got turned up on the Cincinnati Reds with almost seven weeks to play in the season.
The Philadelphia Phillies rallied for four consecutive two-out hits in the eighth inning – capped by Middletown DH Kyle Schwarber’s 42nd home run of the year – to swamp a slim Reds lead and beat the home team 4-1 Monday.
The Reds fell to 2 games back of the idle New York Mets in the race for the final National League wild-card spot.
The opener of a six-game homestand against the NL East leaders and the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers also kicked off the toughest remaining schedule in the majors for the Reds.
It’s a 43-game stretch that includes 22 games against the six teams in playoff position in the league − and now includes a 0-1 start.
“We know our schedule’s hard, and we’re not making any excuses,” said Reds starter Andrew Abbott, who had one of his best starts of the year spoiled by the Phillies’ two-out rally in the eighth.
The Reds’ All-Star left-hander took a three-hit shutout into the eighth and struck out the first two batters of the inning on fastballs of 94 and 95 mph.
Edmundo Sosa singled to right, and No. 9 hitter Weston Wilson followed with a double just over the glove of leaping third-baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes into the left field corner. Sosa scored as the ball caromed just past left fielder Gavin Lux.
Trea Turner singled home Wilson for the lead, then advanced to second on Lux’s throw home − and to third when that throw sailed over catcher Tyler Stephenson.
That was it for Abbott, who was replaced by Tony Santillan.
Two pitches later, Schwarber hit a moon shot just inside the right-field foul pole, halfway up the seating section.
“That’s a tough team to beat 1-0,” said Lux, who drove in the Reds’ only run with a two-out single in the first, one of his three hits in the game. “They’ve got a lot of guys that can hit the ball out of the ballpark and change a game really fast. It’s just (about) trying to put up more runs and not let them stick around 1-0 for so long; (that) probably is ideal.
“Abbott did a great job. He shoved for eight innings. He’s a competitor. It’s great to see, but we’ve got to keep the foot on the gas there when we get an early lead.”
The highlight of the game until then was Reds right fielder Noelvi Marte’s inning-ending perfect throw in the bottom of the seventh to nail Bryce Harper at the plate trying to score on a would-be sacrifice fly.
“At the time, it felt like a game-saver,” manager Terry Francona said. “That was exciting.”
Until last month, Marte had never played an outfield position.”I think he’s going to be really good out there for a long time,” Lux said.