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Phillies send Lee to the mound in opener against Reds
Veteran left-hander faces off against Cincinnati rookie Cingrani

By Jeremy Warnemuende / MLB.com | 5/17/2013 12:21 AM ET

It was about a month ago that Philadelphia and Cincinnati met for their first series of the season, and it was a rough one for the visiting Phillies, who scored just four total runs on the way to being swept out of town.

When the two clubs meet for their second three-game series, starting Friday at Citizens Bank Park, it will be the Phillies' final shot at redemption against the Reds. If the bats once again don't come through -- Philadelphia is ranked 26th in Major League Baseball in runs scored -- at least Charlie Manuel gets to send a surging Cliff Lee to the mound.

Lee started the season strong with two wins and a no-decision while not allowing more than two runs in any of his first three starts. However, he followed that up with a three-game stretch in which he went 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA. In his last two games -- both wins -- Lee has appeared to return to form, most recently tossing seven shutout innings on Saturday against the D-backs.

The 34-year-old left-hander also laid down three sacrifice bunts in the 3-1 win.

"Sometimes he can do it all," shortstop Jimmy Rollins said of Lee. "Other times he just pitches. Tonight, he did it all."

A 12-year veteran, Lee is set to make his 289th Major League start on Friday after the Phillies enjoyed a day off Thursday. His opposition, 23-year-old left-hander Tony Cingrani, will be making his sixth start.

Cingrani recorded two wins in his first three starts, including a six-inning shutout against the Nationals at the end of April. He has yet to lose this season (2-0), but he went only four innings last Friday against the Brewers.

Reds manager Dusty Baker said he likes what he has seen from Cingrani, but said the pitcher often relies on the fastball, which is what got him into trouble against Milwaukee.

The young left-hander, who battled some soreness after his outing against the Brewers, said he feels "perfectly fine" and will be ready to go on Friday against a pitcher he watched as a kid.

"It should be good," Cingrani said. "I've got to use a lot of curveballs and indoor sliders. It should be fun. I'm excited to face Cliff Lee. He's why I run off and on the field, because Cliff Lee did that when I was growing up. I also like how he uses his fastball."

This could be the last start for Cingrani, who might be the odd man out and face a demotion once Johnny Cueto returns to the rotation Monday.

Phillies: Zambrano signs Minor League deal

With Roy Halladay's return this season in question after undergoing successful shoulder surgery on Wednesday, the Phillies needed starting pitching depth. They decided to fill that need on Wednesday by signing right-hander Carlos Zambrano to a Minor League contract.

Zambrano pitched last season for the Marlins, going 7-10 with a 4.49 ERA in 35 appearances, 20 of which were starts. He will report to extended spring training in Clearwater, Fla., and assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said "no promises were made" regarding Zambrano's future with the club.

"We got a feel for his desire to come back and his sincerity about that and what kind of condition he's had to put himself in," Proefrock said. "Again, it's a Minor League deal. It's not like we're signing him to a $90 million deal like the Cubs did."

• Closer Jonathan Papelbon enters the weekend series on a 15 2/3-inning scoreless streak. The right-hander has converted all seven of his save opportunities this season, and he is 6 1/3 innings shy of tying the longest scoreless streak of his career.

Reds: Team looks to improve away from home

The Reds' series in Philadelphia is part of a nine-game NL East road trip, which started this week in Miami, where Cincinnati swept the three-game tilt.

After leaving South Florida, the Reds will take on the Phillies and the Mets. Cincinnati began the trip with a 6-10 record away from Great American Ball Park, a mark that doesn't seem as bad when considering the Reds lost eight of their first nine road games.

• Brandon Phillips enjoyed a hot start to the Reds' road trip, going 5-for-13 with a home run and five RBIs in three games against the Marlins. The current Cincinnati second baseman also closed continued to close in on records set by former Red and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan.

Phillips enters the weekend series against the Phillies one double shy of Morgan's record (220) by a Cincinnati second baseman. On Thursday, Phillips added another hit to make it 1,205 with the Reds, already more than Morgan in his time in Cincinnati. He also added a homer, leaving him three dingers and 15 RBIs short of matching Morgan's marks of 152 and 612, respectively, as a Red.

Worth noting

• The Phillies head into the weekend with a 3-8 record against the NL Central this season, including three losses to the Reds last month.

• The Reds are on a six-game winning streak, their longest of the season. They've won seven of their last eight games and sit a season-high nine games over .500 (25-16).

• With Thursday's win, Dusty Baker is now alone in fourth place in Reds history with 444 managerial wins, surpassing Fred Hutchinson.

Jeremy Warnemuende is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp...y&c_id=cin

Phillips closing in on Morgan's Reds records

By David Villavicencio / Special to MLB.com | 05/17/2013 12:36 AM ET

MIAMI -- Joe Morgan is widely regarded as one of the game's greatest second basemen, but Brandon Phillips is gaining on the Hall of Famer in the Reds' record books.

Phillips entered Thursday night's series finale with the Marlins one double shy of Morgan's record of 220 for Cincinnati second basemen. The 32-year-old never could have imagined being statistically in the same class as the legendary Morgan.

"I never thought about something like that. It's an honor or I've been over here too long. It's one of the two," Phillips joked.

A two-time All-Star, Phillips has a long way to go to catch the Hall of Famer Morgan in trips to the Midsummer Classic. But Phillips has already surpassed Morgan in hits, 1,205 to 1,155.

After belting a homer and driving in two runs in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Marlins, Phillips trails Morgan by three homers and 13 RBIs. Barring something unforeseen, the current Reds second baseman will own most of Morgan's Reds records by the end of this season.

"I always try to be the best player I can be," Phillips said. "I try to be better than Joe Morgan. He's always told me, 'Try to be better than me.' That's hard to do, because he's the best second baseman to ever play this game. I respect him dearly, but I'm going to go out there and play the game and try to break his records."

Phillips has been a force for the Reds this season. The veteran leads the National League with 36 RBIs. Phillips enjoys hitting cleanup for the Reds, and he hopes to continue his run production in the middle of their order.

"When a guy gets in scoring position, I try to focus a little bit more," Phillips said. "I wish I could focus more when no one is on base, but I really try to get those guys in once they get into scoring position. My goal is to get 100 RBIs, and that came up once they put me in the four spot. My job is to drive people in. I don't worry about my on-base percentage or my batting average. I just want to drive guys in, and I've been successful so far. Hopefully I can keep it up."

Chapman uses slider to finish off rookie, Fish

MIAMI -- Aroldis Chapman closed out the Marlins on Wednesday night, but the hard-throwing lefty had to work hard to get the final three outs.

It took 26 pitches for Chapman to get through the ninth inning in a non-save situation in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Marlins. Two Marlins reached base in the ninth, but the most impressive feat may have come from rookie Derek Dietrich.

Playing in just his fifth game in the big leagues, Dietrich forced Chapman to throw 10 pitches, including seven that traveled at least 100 mph, before striking out to end the game.

"He looked great in that at-bat," Chapman said. "Showed a lot of fight and poise in that spot. It was definitely a good trip to the plate."

Chapman topped out at 102 mph before freezing Dietrich on an 87-mph slider. The Reds closer was hoping to fool Dietrich after the rookie fouled off seven fastballs.

"I had thrown him two sliders earlier, but they were out of the zone, so I went back to the fastball and he kept fighting it," Chapman said. "I decided to try and surprise him with a slider inside. I went for it and was fortunate to catch him off guard."

Dietrich has impressed Chapman and several others in the Cincinnati dugout this series. The rookie has collected four hits over the first two games of the series, and his battle with one of the best closers in baseball caught the eye of Reds manager Dusty Baker.

"Dietrich looks like a good hitter," Baker said following Wednesday's game. "He certainly wasn't intimidated by Chapman throwing 100. Chapman got the better of him tonight, but he fouled off some tough pitches up in the zone. Most people don't catch up to those. It was a very good at-bat."

Baker discusses Reds' injuries, perseverance

MIAMI -- Reds manager Dusty Baker addressed several different topics before Thursday's series finale against the Marlins.

Baker, who has helped guide the Reds to another strong start despite dealing with several injuries early on, touched on Chris Heisey's status, saying the outfielder returned to Cincinnati to be evaluated. Heisey re-aggravated a hamstring injury playing in a rehab game on Monday with Class A Pensacola.

"Heisey went back to see the doctor," Baker said. "I haven't heard anything else. He's going to be out a little while longer. We had hoped to get him back, because we are left-handed strong on the bench and in the field."

Baker also touched on how the Reds have managed to stay within striking distance of the first-place Cardinals in the NL Central. Just 2 1/2 games behind St. Louis entering Thursday, Cincinnati is doing exactly what Baker hoped.

"If you're in second or third place, you need to stay in the rearview mirror," Baker said. "You want to be seen when they look in the mirror. You don't want them to look and not see anybody. It's like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. 'They're still there, chasing.' That's what you want if you're behind."

Despite being pleased with how his team has played while battling several key injuries, Baker knows the Reds will need to fight hard to stay in the top part of the division.

"I've seen the Cardinals run off before, so I know what they can do," Baker said. "But I've seen us run off before and I know we can do it. If anybody in this league and division knows how to run off with a lead, it's the Cardinals."

David Villavicencio is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=...n&c_id=cin

Phillies snap Reds streak
May 17, 2013 10:05 PM


Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tony Cingrani (52) reacts to giving up a home run to Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (11) during the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. / Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Written by
John Fay

PHILADELPHIA — The Reds six-game winning streak is over. The Phillies scored two runs in eighth on only one hit.

The Reds trailed 3-0 in this one.

Left-hander Tony Cingrani, in what probably was his last start before getting taken out of the rotation, went five innings and allowed three runs on five hits. He walked two and struck out four. Pitch efficiency was a problem again. He needed 100 pitches to go five.

Left-hander Cliff Lee went seven innings and allowed two runs — both coming on a Jay Bruce’s fourth home run — on six hits for the Phillies.

The Reds threatened in the first and the second against Lee, but all they had to show for it was five runners left on base.

Jimmy Rollins gave the Phillies a 2-0 lead in the third with his third home run of the year It was his first homer off a left-hander since 2010. It was fifth home run Cingrani allowed in his last three starts. He allowed two in his first three starts.

The Phillies added a run in the fifth. Lee led off with a double high off the wall in right. Rollins sacrificed him to third. Cingrani struck out Chase Utley. But Michael Young hit one to the 409 mark in center. Shin-Soo Choo got a glove on it, but it fell for a triple. Lee scored to make it 3-0.

That lead looked pretty large. Lee had retired 10 of 11 going into the sixth.

But Brandon Phillips led off the sixth with a double. It was his 220th as a Reds’ second baseman, tying Joe Morgan for first on the club list.

Bruce followed with moon shot to right for his fourth of the year to make it 3-2. The hit extended Bruce’s season-high hitting streak to eight games. He has three home runs and 10 RBI during the streak.

Joey Votto tied it in the eighth with 420-foot blast off left-hander Antonio Bastardo.

An out later, Bruce singled. The Phillies brought in right-hander Justin De Fratus to face Todd Frazier. He gave one a good ride to left, but Delmon Young caught it with leap in front of the wall.

It extended Frazier’s career-high skid to 0-for-19.

Logan Ondrusek and Sam LeCure followed Cingrani and each threw a perfect inning.

Sean Marshall started the eighth. He struck out Utley, then walked Michael Young. Ryan Howard reached on a check swing roller. The Reds brought in Jonathan Broxton to face Delmon Young. Broxton hit him with the first pitch to load the bases.

Domonic Brown hit one up the middle. Cozart fielded it and flipped to Phillips covering. Phillips tried to barehand the ball. He dropped it for an error. Young scored to make it 4-3.

Carlos Ruiz hit a ball to medium center. Choo threw a strike to home. Catcher Ryan Hanigan had the plate blocked, but umpire Marty Foster called Howard safe. Hanigan and manager Dusty Baker argued.

Replays were inconclusive.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130.../305170163

Cliff Lee, Phillies beat the red-hot Reds

Cliff Lee throws a pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, May 17, 2013, in Philadelphia. (Michael Perez/AP)

Marc Narducci, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: Friday, May 17, 2013, 10:15 PM

Cliff Lee pitched and hit well enough to earn a win. He had to settle for being picked up by his teammates.

Eighth inning RBIs by Domonic Brown and Carlos Ruiz broke the tie and led the Phillies to a 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday at Citizens Bank Park.

With the score tied at 3-3, Michael Young drew a one-out walk in the Phillies eighth. Ryan Howard, of all players, then reached base on a check-swinging bunt that reliever Sean Marshall couldn't handle.

Righthander Jonathan Broxton replaced Marshall and hit Delmon Young to load the bases.

Brown then knocked in the lead run after being credited with a fielder's choice. Shortstop Zack Cozart got to his grounder up the middle, but flipped the ball behind second baseman Brandon Phillips, who was charged with the error for not handling the flip. Young scored the fourth run on the play.

"A comeback win like this means a lot and shows the character of this team," said Brown, who was batting .250 going into Friday night's game.

Carlos Ruiz then hit a sacrifice fly to center, with Howard's headfirst slide just beating the throw of Shin-Soo Choo for the fifth run.

Jonathan Papelbon then pitched a scoreless ninth for his eighth save.

Besides limiting one of baseball's best offenses to two runs over seven innings, Lee also displayed a home run trot, if not the actual home run.

Lee allowed six hits and two runs over the seven innings, striking out seven and walking two. He threw 111 pitches and was also 1 for 2 with two runs scored and raised his batting average to .267.

"If we get our lineup going we definitely have the potential to score runs," manager Charlie Manuel said. "We have to get our bullpen straightened out."

Leading by 3-2, Lee literally ran to the mound in the seventh inning. He was just as quick pitching, needing only seven pitches to retire the side.

The Reds were just as quick to take advantage of his absence. Joey Votto tied the score with a solo home run to center on Antonio Bastardo's second pitch in the eighth inning.

Bastardo would depart to boos after serving a one-out single to Jay Bruce. In came Justin De Fratus, saved by none other than Delmon Young, who made a running grab of a Todd Frazier liner to right for the second out. De Fratus got Devin Mesoraco to pop up to short for the final out.

Early in the game Lee pitched out of trouble.

With a runner on first base in the first inning, Brandon Phillips, who entered the game with a National League-leading 36 RBIs, hit a blast that was just foul past the left-field foul pole. Phillips ended up walking but not scoring.

In the second inning, the Reds loaded the bases with two outs, but Lee struck out Zack Cozart.

In those first two innings Lee threw 45 pitches.

The Phillies opened the scoring with Jimmy Rollins' two-run home run to left field, his third of the season. Rollins left no doubt about it on a 3-1 fastball by rookie lefthander Tony Cingrani, clocked at 92 miles per hour.

Also scoring was Lee, who hit into a fielder's choice after John Mayberry Jr. opening the third with a single.

Lee just missed hitting a home run to right in the fifth. In fact he went into his home run trot, but the ball went off the right-field wall.

So Lee settled for a leadoff double. "I thought it was gone no doubt about it," Lee said of the blast.

Lee was sacrificed to third by Rollins and after Chase Utley struck out, Michael Young hit an RBI triple that Shin-Shoo Choo just missed making a running catch in center.

The Reds finally solved Lee in the sixth when Phillips led off with a double and then Bruce crushed a hanging curveball for a two-run homer to right.

Lee then got three straight outs and had thrown 104 pitches through six innings before returning for one more impressive inning.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phil...night.html

Phillies aim to reverse Reds' recent dominance
Kendrick to face Cincinnati's Arroyo in bid to build momentum

By Jeremy Warnemuende / MLB.com | 5/18/2013 12:16 AM ET

Even on a team with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick has been the man in Philadelphia's rotation for most of the season.

Since allowing five runs and taking the loss in his first start of 2013, the 28-year-old right-hander is 4-0 with a 1.84 ERA. He has gone seven innings in each of last three starts, and before that tossed a three-hit, complete game shutout against the Mets.

On Saturday, Kendrick will take his hot streak and put it on the line when he faces a Cincinnati team playing its best ball of the season.

Even after having their season-high six-game winning streak ended Friday, the Reds have won seven of their last nine games. Cincinnati ended Friday's game ranked third in the National League in runs scored (72) this month, and before Friday the Reds had not scored fewer than four runs in a game since May 8.

Jay Bruce has led the charge as of late, including going 2-for-4 with a two-run homer Friday. He has registered a hit in 12 of his 13 games this month, and he is batting .394 with three home runs and 10 RBIs on his current eight-game hitting streak.

To top it off, Bruce is 5-for-14 (.357) with two homers against Kendrick in his career.

The Phillies, though, have full confidence in Kendrick when he takes the mound.

"It seems like every game, he definitely gives us a chance to win," Chase Utley said. "He's staying composed, he's getting out of big jams, he's making good pitches definitely when he needs to."

To counter, Reds manager Dusty Baker will send Bronson Arroyo to the hill. Arroyo won his last two outings against the Phillies but lost his six previous meetings.

Arroyo, however, is coming off one of his best starts, where he shut out the Brewers on five hits through 6 2/3 innings. After the game, Arroyo said he was not feeling well, but he did not expect it to be a lingering issue.

"I was laboring every inning," Arroyo said. "It probably didn't look like that. After the sixth, I told them those 65 pitches felt like 90 and to just be aware of that to have somebody ready to go."

Reds: Frazier looks to bust out of slump

Todd Frazier failed to record a hit for the fourth straight game Friday night. Road struggles are not a new issue for Frazier this season, but he enters Saturday's game in a career-worst 0-for-19 slump.

A New Jersey native, Frazier has a chance to break out of his slump close to home, either in Philadelphia or New York.

"I like playing in front of my family and friends," Frazier said. "Everybody loves it except my mom -- she's a nervous Nelly all the time. It's good to be close to home."

Phillies: Team shuffles around bullpen

The Phillies called up B.J. Rosenberg from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday while sending down Raul Valdes to make room. Rosenberg was not expecting the promotion, but he said he was excited to get the news.

With Philadelphia hoping to shore up the middle of its bullpen and with setup man Mike Adams day to day with a mild back strain, the Phillies can use the 27-year-old right-hander, who pitched briefly for the big league club last year and finished the season strong.

"Most of our middle relievers have not been very good, so we'll see whether Rosey can come in," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "The last time, he threw pretty good. He's stretched out, so he can go long."

Worth noting

• Brandon Phillips enters Saturday tied with Joe Morgan for most doubles (220) by a Reds second baseman.

• The Phillies are 16-5 in their last 21 games against the Reds at Citizens Bank Park after Friday's win.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp...y&c_id=cin

Leake's job most likely secure when Cueto returns

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | 5/17/2013 7:29 P.M. ET

PHILADELPHIA -- The Reds have listed Mike Leake as their probable starter for Tuesday's game against the Mets, which seems to end any remaining speculation about his status on the roster.

With Johnny Cueto set to come off the disabled list for Monday's series opener against New York, someone has to come off of the roster. Logic indicated it came down to Leake or Friday night's starter, rookie lefty Tony Cingrani.

Manager Dusty Baker said earlier this week that Leake was not pitching for his job. But Leake certainly helped his cause by posting a 2.79 ERA in his last three starts since a bad three-inning outing April 27 at Washington.

Leake, the team's fifth starter, will now be stationed between ace Cueto and No. 2 starter Mat Latos, who will pitch Wednesday's series finale versus Matt Harvey. There was no specific effort made to split up Cueto and Latos in the order.

"It's when Johnny was ready, and we had to re-tweak the rotation as it was because of Cingrani needing the extra day," Baker said Friday. "That kind of changed everything. A lot of times you have a reason, but this is for no particular reason. [Monday] is Johnny's day to pitch."

Cueto ready to return Monday against Mets

PHILADELPHIA -- All systems are a go for Reds ace Johnny Cueto to return to the rotation from the disabled list Monday. Cueto, who has been out since April 15 with a strained right lat muscle, was named Wednesday as the starter for the series opener against the Mets.

"I'm ready for Monday," Cueto said Friday as he rejoined the team after his second rehab assignment start at Class A Dayton. "I'm happy. I'm happy for the team [playing well]."

On Tuesday, Cueto threw 58 pitches over five scoreless innings. He had no issues with his lat or the oblique muscle that became sore while he was on the DL.

"Everything was good," Cueto said. "I was working on my breaking ball. Everything was fine."

Cueto took the mound in the bullpen Friday for his regular side session, where he was expected to throw 35 pitches. The Reds will be watching Cueto closely Monday and will most likely be quick to limit his pitch count.

"We'll be a little careful," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "If he gets to a certain amount of pitches, you have to be careful with him. He's not in danger, but you're always fearful it could come back. Usually when things happen, they happen when you're fatigued."

Frazier hopes home-like scene will cure enigmatic skid

PHILADELPHIA -- Games away from Great American Ball Park this season have been anything but kind to Reds third baseman Todd Frazier. At home, Frazier is batting .293 with all six of his home runs. On the road, he entered Friday batting .131.

Frazier is at a loss to explain the Grand Canyon-like chasm in his home/road splits.

"That's a great question," Frazier said before Friday's game. "Last year, I enjoyed hitting on the road. I like that feeling of being on the team no one roots for. I build off that. For some reason this year, I don't know what it is. It's weird. I can't really pinpoint it. I feel great at the plate. It's just not clicking. It boggles my mind. That's the most confusing part about this year for me."

In 2012, Frazier hit .286 with nine homers and 33 RBIs on the road compared with .258, 10 homers and 34 RBIs at home.

Batting .221 overall this season, Frazier took an 0-for-13 stretch in his last three games as the Reds swept the Marlins in Miami. Reds manager Dusty Baker has seen nothing mechanically wrong with Frazier's swing.

"He hit a couple of balls on the nose," Baker said. "That's why we put the hit and run on him [Thursday] to have him stay on the ball. Most of the time when you're not hitting well, you're pulling off the ball; you have a quick shoulder or a quick hip. You're not using the whole field."

For the next six games, Frazier has a chance to feel at home while on the road. The New Jersey native and resident will get to play in Philadelphia and New York. He expects to have 15 to 20 family members and friends at each game.

"It's good to be close to home; I think I need something like this," Frazier said. "It's a good time for me. I'm getting a little frustrated out there at times. It's been two weeks but seems like a whole year. I've never been through this. I don't like to call it a slump. If I get into a slump, I'm swinging at bad pitches. The last game [on Thursday], I had four good at-bats and hit three balls hard. There were two good plays. I can't do anything about it. I have to keep fighting and get a good pitch to hit. I will be fine.

"I don't necessarily need four hits a game. I can do one or two good things a game and play good defense. I've been helping out in that department at least."

Worth noting

• When the Reds had a save situation in the 10th inning of Thursday's 5-3 win over the Marlins, Jonathan Broxton was not available to pitch. Instead, J.J. Hoover entered and notched the save. Baker revealed Friday that Broxton had a knot in his side behind the shoulder. It was not considered serious, and Broxton was expected to be available Friday.

"We didn't want to take a chance," Baker said. "It's just too early to be a hero right now, especially when you have a fresh arm. If it was September or down the stretch, we probably would have pitched him."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Reds blast Phillies 10-0 to tie series
May 18, 2013


Philadelphia Phillies' Erik Kratz, right, watches Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto, left, celebrates with Zack Cozart after Votto hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning. AP Photo/Michael Perez

Written by
John Fay

PHILADELPHIA — Before Saturday’s game, Reds manager Dusty Baker said to no one in particular: “We got to beat these Phillies. I’m tried of losing to them.”

The Reds granted his wish with a 10-0 shellacking of the Phillies before 41,817 on a rainy day at Citizens Bank Park.

It is not surprising that Baker had grown weary of getting whipped up on by the Phillies, especially here. The Reds entered Saturday’s game 11-23 at Citizens Bank. The Reds have won a season series with the Phillies for the first time since 2003. Saturday’s victory assured that. The Reds are 4-1 against Philly going into Sunday’s series finale.

“It’s been so tough for us to win over the years in this ballpark,” starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo said. “It was nice to nail one down.”

Bronson Arroyo pitched a gem. He went 7 2/3 innings and allowed five hits. He walked two (last two batters he faced) and struck out six.

“Everything worked today,” Arroyo said. “I didn’t feel like anything was outstanding, but collectively it was a good mix against this lineup.”

Arroyo evened his record at 4-4. That was important to him.

“It’s always on Dusty’s mind, too,” Arroyo said. “For some reason, other than ’06, I’ve always found myself with a 3-5 record. I always say it’s running uphill. I’m staring at the bottom of the mountain.

“It’s important. It makes you feel good.”

The Reds took a 3-0 lead in the second. Todd Frazier led off with an infield single, snapping a career-high 0-for-19. Donald Lutz followed with a single to right. Ryan Hanigan hit one out to left for his first home run of the year.

“That made it a lot easier,” Arroyo said.

Since coming off the disabled list, Hanigan is 6-for-16 with three walks.

“He got his hand right,” Baker said. “When you hurt your hand ... your hand finishes your swing.”

Despite the lead, it was not a good offensive day for the Reds early on. Three times in the first five innings, they had a runner at third and one out and failed to get him in.


Cincinnati Reds' Shin-Soo Choo (17) steals second base in front of Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley (26) in the first inning. / AP Photo/Michael Perez

“We scored a lot of runs,” Baker said. “But we’ve got to get better at that. You end up keeping them in the game. It puts a lot of pressure on your pitching staff.”

The Reds added a run in the sixth on Zack Cozart’s two-out, RBI double.

The Reds finally converted with a runner on third and one out in the eighth. Shin-Soo Choo led off with a single. An out later, Joey Votto singled. Brandon Phillips loaded the bases with an infield single. Jay Bruce hit a sacrifice fly to center.

The Reds added three more from there to break it open.

Votto capped the scoring with a two-run home run in the ninth. It was his sixth of the season and second in as many days.

Votto has reached base in his last seven plate appearances. Over his last seven games, he is 15-for-29 (.517) with two home runs and seven RBI.

“When Joey Votto’s right, he’s one of the best there is,” Baker said.

Votto is starting to feel right.

“My swing feels quite a bit better,” he said. “It’s quicker and more direct to the ball. The combining that with being able to see the ball as deep as possible is usually when I’m at my best.”

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130...tie-series

Reds clobber Phillies, 10-0


Domonic Brown shows his disappointment after being tagged out at third by Reds third baseman Todd Frazier in the second inning. (Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)

Bob Brookover, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: Saturday, May 18, 2013, 7:26 PM

You could say that Kyle Kendrick kept the Phillies in the game on a cloudy, drizzly afternoon in which he did not have stellar command. Then the beleaguered bullpen put a match to it.

That would be only half the truth.

Full disclosure: The Phillies' offense was never in this game against Bronson Arroyo and the Cincinnati Reds, and so this momentum-deprived season continued Saturday at Citizens Bank Park with a 10-0 loss.

It was the sixth time the Phillies have been blanked, matching the team's total number of scoreless games for the entire 2012 season, which, if you recall, wasn't exactly a celebrated one.

Only the woeful Miami Marlins have been shut out more often.

"You can get down if you're not careful," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "That's what you don't want. You've got to keep together. You've got to keep plugging at it."

The Phillies (20-23) are having trouble building a bridge to .500, a record they have not seen since they were 6-6 on April 14.

"I don't think we look at it that way," second baseman Chase Utley said. "We're trying to take it game by game. I know you hear that all the time, but in my opinion that's the best way to go about it."

The Phillies couldn't do anything against Arroyo, a pitcher they used to pound with regularity. Going into last season, Arroyo was 1-7 with an 8.43 ERA in nine career starts against the Phillies. In three starts since - one last season and two this year - he is 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA.

The Phillies managed only five hits in 72/3 innings against Arroyo, and advanced only one runner beyond first base. Even that modest accomplishment was immediately erased when Domonic Brown was thrown out trying to stretch a double into a triple.

Kendrick, after going seven straight starts without allowing more than two runs, labored through his six innings, allowing four runs on eight hits. He also walked two and hit a batter. He had not walked a batter in 20 innings before issuing a walk to Shin-Soo Choo to open the game.

"They have a pretty good lineup, and I wasn't good today," Kendrick said.

The worst of Kendrick's 112 pitches was a 1-1 sinker that he left over the middle of the plate to Ryan Hanigan with two men on and nobody out in the top of the second inning. Hanigan turned on it for a three-run home run.

The Phillies' bullpen took over in the seventh and turned a four-run deficit into a merciless beating. Four Phillies relievers - B.J. Rosenberg, Jeremy Horst, Phillippe Aumont, and Chad Durbin - combined to allow six runs on eight hits and a walk in just three innings. Rosenberg, after being recalled from triple-A Friday, gave up three runs on four hits in 11/3 innings.

"I have a big concern about our bullpen," Manuel said. "If we can't hold people, how can we win the game?"

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phil..._Reds.html

Shutout with clout: Reds stage rout in Philly
Masterful Arroyo backed by Hanigan's big fly; Votto reaches six times

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | 5/18/2013 9:02 PM ET

PHILADELPHIA -- Perhaps Saturday was a day for several Reds to bury some unflattering narratives.

Bronson Arroyo and the team got past their bad track record in Philadelphia. Ryan Hanigan kicked more dirt over the struggles he endured the first month of his season. And Joey Votto continued to refute any suggestions his power might still be sapped from last season's knee surgery.

Add it all up, and the Reds had a decisive 10-0 win over the Phillies.

"Everything worked today," said Arroyo, who scattered five hits without a walk over 7 2/3 innings with six strikeouts. "I didn't think anything was outstanding, but everything collectively was a good mix against this lineup. It's been so tough for us to win over the years in this ballpark, it's nice to nail one down with good run support and keeping them off balance all night."

The Reds, who have taken four of five games from the Phillies this season, are now 12-23 at Citizens Bank Park since 2004. Arroyo entered the day with a 9.60 ERA in three starts there over his career and with a 6.00 ERA lifetime against Philadelphia. But he's now won his last three starts against the Phillies, including two this season.

Arroyo threw first-pitch strikes to 22 of his 29 batters faced. Philadelphia reached second base only once in the first seven innings. It was Domonic Brown, who doubled to right field in the second inning before being thrown out at third base attempting to stretch for a triple. His overall record is now at 4-4 with a 3.28 ERA after nine starts.

"Guys always pitch tough when they're one game under .500," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "Bronson hadn't been the recipient of a lot of runs, but he was today. He pitched masterfully."

After a two-out single by Jimmy Rollins in the third inning, Arroyo retired 12 of the next 13 batters. In the Phillies' sixth inning, he retired the top third of the lineup in order using just six pitches.

"We used to hit Arroyo, if you remember," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "Then the last three times he's pitched against us he's pitched the same kind of game. He pitches backwards. He threw us a lot of slow hooks, a lot of changeups and spotted fastballs. And the last three times he's pitched against us he's given us fits. We've had a hard time handling him."

In the top of the second, after the first two batters singled, Hanigan took Kyle Kendrick's 1-1 pitch and pulled it to left field for a three-run homer and a 3-0 lead.

Hanigan, who last homered on July 6, 2012, at San Diego, has hit safely in four of his five games (6-for-16) since returning from the disabled list. His overall average may only be .164, but he was batting .079 before going on the DL with a sore right thumb and strained left oblique.

"He got his hand right. Guys love throwing to him," Baker said of the catcher. "You take for granted your hands and your feet. The feet are your foundation, but your hands finish your swing. He didn't have that finish to his swing. We had to force him to go on the DL because he wasn't doing himself any favors, and we wanted him to get back and help us."

Cincinnati could have had an even bigger rout, going just 5-for-19 with runners in scoring position and stranding 12 on base. Rallies came up empty with a runner in scoring position and less than two outs in the first, third, fifth and seventh innings. Leading off in the sixth, Hanigan was grazed on the helmet by a high fastball and advanced on Arroyo's sacrifice. With two outs, Zack Cozart lined an RBI double down the right-field line to make it 4-0.

"We left a lot of runners out there," Baker said. "We certainly scored a lot of runs, but we have to get better at that because you end up keeping them in the game. It puts a lot of pressure on your pitching staff."

That pressure was lifted by the late innings as the Reds scored four runs in the eighth. Two more runs came in the ninth on Votto's 418-foot two-run homer to center field off of reliever Chad Durbin. Votto ended the game 4-for-4 and reached base a career-best six times.

In April, some wondered about Votto's production, as he batted .291 with four homers and 11 RBIs in the month. He missed 48 games last season to have left knee surgery and finished the final month after his return without a homer.

"My swing feels quite a bit better," Votto said. "It feels quicker and more direct to the ball, and combining that with being able to see the ball as deep as possible, it's usually when I am at my best."

This month, Votto is hitting .441 (26-for-59) with nine RBIs, and his two homers have come in the last two days. On Saturday, he surpassed teammate Shin-Soo Choo for the Major League lead with a .473 on-base percentage.

"I took several good swings in Philadelphia," Votto said. "I was missing quite a bit before that, hitting the ball to the opposite-field line. I wasn't able to be as direct as I'd like to be. I've had a few really good swings. Hopefully that's a trend headed in the right direction for me."

Baker never expected anything less from Votto.

"Joey is going to have those streaks because he demands perfection and has been working hard to get to this point," he said. "When he's right, Joey Votto is one of the best there is."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Reds call up infielder Soto, option Cingrani to Triple-A

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | 5/18/2013 3:55 P.M. ET

PHILADELPHIA -- Seeking an extra bat for the bench, the Reds called up infielder Neftali Soto from Triple-A Louisville on Saturday and optioned lefty starter Tony Cingrani to Louisville.

It's the first big league promotion for the 24-year-old Soto, a third-round Draft pick in 2007 and the Reds' 14th-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com.

"I'm real excited. I can't even explain it," Soto said. "I'm going to enjoy it, do a lot of work and do my best."

After Cingrani started on Friday in a 5-3 loss to the Phillies, he was not expected to pitch again with Johnny Cueto due to be activated from the disabled list on Monday. It enabled Cincinnati to pad its 25-man roster with a position player.

In 33 games for Louisville, Soto is batting .269 with three home runs and 16 RBIs.

Soto is primarily a first baseman -- which is, of course, blocked by mainstay Joey Votto. He has been back playing at his original spot of third base. This season, he's played 18 games at first base and 16 at third base.

But defense had little to do with Soto's callup.

"Until Cueto is available, we need a right-handed bat here. I don't know how long he'll be here," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He's here mainly for his bat. He's worked hard. He's quite an accomplished first baseman. He's here mainly to give us some quality at-bats from the right side. Maybe he'll win a game or two, because as tight as this race is going to be, a game or two might be all you need."

Cingrani to work on secondary pitches in Triple-A

PHILADELPHIA -- Rookie left-hander Tony Cingrani was mostly impressive during his callup to the Majors. However, Cingrani was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday as the Reds prepare to bring ace Johnny Cueto back from the disabled list on Monday.

Corner infielder Neftali Soto was called up from Louisville to replace Cingrani on the roster in the meantime.

Over his six starts for Cincinnati, Cingrani was 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA, nine walks and 41 strikeouts.

"He did a great job with the limited experience that he had," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "It was a great learning experience, but he also helped us at the same time."

On Friday, in a 5-3 loss to the Phillies, Cingrani allowed three runs and five hits with two walks and four strikeouts over five innings. But he also threw 100 pitches in that relatively short span.

Baker and pitching coach Bryan Price told Cingrani that he needs to work on his secondary pitches -- the changeup and slider. Baker said Cingrani would not be mandated to throw a certain number of offspeed pitches while back at Louisville.

"We want him to get comfortable with it on the sidelines and then take it into the game," Baker said.

According to Fangraphs, the 23-year-old Cingrani threw his fastball 83.6 percent of the time, which is third-highest among Major League pitchers with at least 30 innings. In recent outings, Cingrani was getting hit harder the second time through an opposing lineup.

One of the fastballs on Friday was a 3-1 offering up in the strike zone to Jimmy Rollins that was hit for a two-run homer in the third inning.

"I could do it with the fastball if I just commanded it better, but it's just working on the other pitches to get them off of my fastball," Cingrani said. "It's always a learning process. It's great I got the six starts. I'll go back down, do what I have to do and work on that."

Worth noting

Left-handed reliever Manny Parra, on the disabled list since April 26 with a strained left pectoral muscle, has made two rehab appearances for Double-A Pensacola. In the most recent outing, during a start on Thursday, Parra threw 25 pitches over two scoreless innings with two hits and two strikeouts. His next outing is scheduled for Sunday.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Rubber game holds importance for Reds' Baker
Coming off CG, Bailey duels with undefeated rookie Pettibone

By Jeremy Warnemuende / MLB.com | 5/18/2013 10:09 PM ET

Dusty Baker has had enough. For whatever reason, his Reds struggle to win when they travel to Philadelphia. In fact, when the two teams take the field for the rubber match on Sunday, he'll seek his first series win on the road against the Phillies in his time as the Reds' manager.

"First thing, we have to beat these Phillies," Baker said. "I'm tired of them beating us here. I don't know how many games we've won. It doesn't seem like any the last three years."

Baker and his club made a statement, and may have vented a little steam in the process, with a 10-0 rout in Saturday's second game of the series.

Cincinnati went 3-9 in its previous three regular-season trips to Philadelphia. After splitting the first two games this weekend, the Reds head into Sunday with a 12-23 record at Citizens Bank Park since it opened in 2004.

Sunday's starter for the Reds can relate to Baker's frustrations. In five career starts at The Bank, Homer Bailey is 0-2 with a 5.92 ERA. Regardless of venue, Bailey is looking to beat the Phillies for the first time in seven career starts.

Bailey's last outing was arguably his best of the season, as he went the distance against the Marlins on Tuesday, giving up two runs while striking out 10 in a 6-2 win. Before dominating Miami, Bailey was 0-3 in his six starts since winning his first game of 2013.

His counterpart Sunday afternoon, Jonathan Pettibone, has yet to lose a Major League decision. Filling in for the injured John Lannan, Pettibone is 3-0 with a 3.41 ERA in his first five career starts. The 22-year-old right-hander surrendered two earned runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings his last time out, a 6-2 win against the Indians on Tuesday.

The Phillies have been impressed with Pettibone's poise, and the 2008 third-round Draft pick said he's felt more comfortable each time he's taken the mound.

"Your confidence gets up each time out," Pettibone said. "You just kind of build off that. From there, I don't really know what's going to happen. All you can do is focus start to start and go from there."

Reds: Soto called up; Cingrani sent down

With Johnny Cueto slated to make his return from the DL on Monday, the Reds optioned left-hander Tony Cingrani to Triple-A Louisville. In return, Cincinnati brought up infielder Neftali Soto to add bench depth before bringing back Cueto.

As a first-base prospect, Soto hasn't had an opportunity for a big league callup, with Joey Votto manning that position for the Reds. As a result, the 24-year-old made his first Major League appearance when he entered Saturday's game as a defensive sub for Votto.

Baker said he doesn't know how long Soto, who is batting .269 with three homers and 16 RBIs for Louisville this season, will be with the club.

"He's here mainly for his bat," Baker said. "He's worked hard. He's quite an accomplished first baseman. He's here mainly to give us some quality at-bats from the right side. Maybe he'll win a game or two, because as tight as this race is going to be, a game or two might be all you need."

• Right fielder Jay Bruce extended his season-high hitting streak to nine games with a 2-for-4 performance on Saturday. On the way to putting together the longest current active streak on the team, Bruce has gone 15-for-37 (.405) with three home runs and 11 RBIs during that span.

Phillies: De Fratus efficient in limited time

Phillies reliever Justin De Fratus was called up on May 10 and has pitched in just three games this season, a total of 1 1/3 innings. Yet after tossing two-thirds of an inning on Friday, De Fratus now leads the Philadelphia bullpen in wins, with two. The 25-year-old right-hander has not allowed a baserunner while striking out one batter entering Sunday's series finale.

• If he's needed on Sunday, Phillies closer Jonathan Pabelbon will look to extend the National League's longest scoreless streak. Dating back to April 3, Pabelbon has not allowed a run in 16 2/3 innings, second to only White Sox pitcher Chris Sale in all of baseball. Papelbon also has yet to blow a save this season (8-for-8).

Worth noting

• A win Sunday would give the Reds their first series victory in Philadelphia since 2006.

• Saturday's loss brought the Phillies to 8-8 this month. They finished at .500 or better in May for the last 10 straight seasons.

Jeremy Warnemuende is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp...y&c_id=cin

Broxton, Marshall, chapman....great loss boys.

How many blown saves now?...and losses due to this strong bullpen?

9 losses out of 18 by bullpen. Starters all have sub 4 eras.

I saw it coming. None of them look comfortable right now, which is a huge problem. I'm with Thom and Jeff though, how Broxton allows himself to get beat for a walk on a secondary pitch is amazing. If you're going to get beat, make them do it on your best pitch!

Most overrated bullpen in MLB. Reds simply cannot win in Philly. (Washington and St.Louis are also houses of horror.)

Chapman has not looked good at all on the road this year. It's only a total of 6 IP, but these are Ondrusek type numbers:

6 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 2 HR, 6 BB, 6 K, 7.50 ERA

At home he's got 24 K compared to just 8 baserunners (5 H and 3 BB). Also, I don't see why Broxton has a stranglehold on the 8th inning.

Reds fall on Chapman's woes
May 19, 2013 4:47 PM


Homer Bailey pitched seven scoreless innings in the Reds' 3-2 loss to the Phillies. / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Written by
John Fay

PHILADELPHIA — Aroldis Chapman gave up back-to-back home runs to Erik Kratz and Freddy Galvis in the ninth to first blow the save and then lose the game.

The Reds have not won a series in Philadelphia since 2006. They are 12-24 at Citizens Bank Park.

Homer Bailey went seven innings and allowed five hits. He walked one and struck out three. Reds starters are 4-0 with a 1.25 ERA over their last seven games.

Jay Bruce gave the Reds a 1-0 lead by leading off the second with his fifth home run of the year. He crushed it to center. It easily cleared the 401 mark.

Bailey worked around some trouble early, and the Phillies hit some balls hard right at people, but he took a three-hitter into the sixth.

The Reds got Bailey an insurance run in the sixth. Joey Votto led off with his second hit of the game. He advanced to second when left fielder Domonic Brown threw wildly to first trying to double him up on Bruce’s fly out.

Todd Frazier hit one over right fielder Laynce Nix’s head for a double to get Votto in and make it 2-0. It was Frazier’s second hit of the game and fourth in seven at-bats since he ended his 0-for-19 skid.

The Phillies drew to within a run in the eighth. Jonathan Broxton took over for Bailey. He retired the first two hitters. But Ben Revere reached on an infield single, and Michael Young walked.

The Reds brought in left-hander Sean Marshall to face Chase Utley. Utley singled to left to get Revere in on the first pitch. Brown flied out to right on the next pitch.

Aroldis Chapman, fresh off his first blown save, walked pinch-hitter Delmon Young on four pitches to start the inning. Chapman picked off pinch-runner Cliff Lee for the first out.

Then came the home runs.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130.../305190073

Phils shock Reds with homers by Kratz and Galvis in 9th


Philadelphia Phillies' Freddy Galvis leaps into the group of his teammates after hitting a game-winning solo-home run in the ninth inning of the MLB National League baseball game with the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, May 19, 2013, in Philadelphia. The Phillies won 3-2. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

Marc Narducci, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: Sunday, May 19, 2013, 5:08 PM

The Phillies' prospects didn't look so bright. Having scored one run in the previous 17 innings, they entered the ninth inning of Sunday's series finale with the Cincinnati Reds trailing by 2-1.

And they had to face reliever Aroldis Chapman, owner of the 100-m.p.h. fastball.

But even after pinch-runner Cliff Lee was picked off, the Phillies came back with ninth-inning home runs by Erik Kratz and Freddy Galvis in as stunning 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park.

Chapman walked pinch-hitter Delmon Young to start the ninth inning. Lee pinch-ran for Young, which seemed like a better option until Lee got picked off first base for the first out. It was officially listed as caught stealing, 1-3-6-1.

Yikes.

Then Kratz tied the score with a home run to left and Freddy Galvis hit a game-winning home run that landed barely in fair territory in left.

And nobody felt better than Lee.

Of course, these days, there always seems to be some dreariness around every ray of sunlight for the Phillies. It happened in a familiar category: injuries.

Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz left the game with a right hamstring strain.

In the second inning with Ruiz on first, Galvis singled past first base, but the ball hit umpire Mike Everitt or it may have gone down the line for extra bases.

Ruiz limped into third, but after being briefly attended to, he stayed in the game. After Jonathan Pettibone struck out to end the inning, Ruiz departed and was replaced behind the plate by Kratz.

The Phillies received another solid performance by rookie Jonathan Pettibone. In seven innings he allowed seven hits and two runs, just one earned. Pettibone struck out four and walked three. This was the longest of Pettibone's six outings for the Phillies as he lowered his ERA to 3.00.

Jay Bruce's homer to center gave Cincinnati a 1-0 second-inning lead. Bruce now has a 10-game hitting streak and this season he has feasted on Phillies pitching. In six games, he is 10 for 23 (.434) with two home runs and seven RBIs.

Michael Young earned his first start at first base for the Phillies. It was Young's first time at the position since Sept. 28 of last season while playing for Texas against the Los Angeles Angels. Young looked comfortable, especially on when starting a 3-6-3 double play on a Joey Votto grounder in the third inning.

In the sixth, Domonic Brown made a sliding catch in foul territory of Bruce's fly ball, but then overthrew first base in attempting to double Votto off the bag.

Votto advanced to second and then scored the Reds' second run on a Todd Frazier's two-out double to right.

In the bottom of the inning, Chase Utley hit a two-out single. Utley stole second and advanced to third when catcher Ryan Hanigan's throw went into center field. Starter Homer Bailey ended the inning by getting Brown to ground out to first.

In the Phillies eighth, Ben Revere reached base on a two-out infield single. Revere hit a grounder to Votto, who made a great stab but not a good throw to pitcher Jonathan Broxton covering first.

Revere stole second and Michael Young walked. Utley then greeted lefthander Sean Marshall with an RBI single to left, putting runners on first and second.

Brown ended the inning by flying out to right.

An inning later, the Phillies won it in dramatic fashion.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phil...n_9th.html

Chapman allows tying, walk-off homers in Philly

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | 5/19/2013 4:39 PM ET

PHILADELPHIA -- Winning a series at Citizens Bank Park isn't something the Reds take for granted. After all, it hadn't happened since 2006. They were one inning from finally ending that streak before a crushing turn of events on Sunday.

Back-to-back home runs by the Phillies' Erik Kratz and Freddy Galvis in the bottom of the ninth inning off of Aroldis Chapman sent the Reds to a 3-2 loss at Citizens Bank Park.

Chapman blew his second consecutive save in the ninth inning after inheriting a 2-1 lead. Chapman walked pinch-hitter Delmon Young on four pitches to start the inning. With Cliff Lee pinch-running as Kratz batted, Chapman sent a pickoff throw to first base and got Lee in a rundown before he was caught.

Chapman did not capitalize on the break, as Kratz tattooed a 3-2 pitch into the left-field seats for the game-tying homer. On a 1-1 pitch, Galvis hit his homer just inside the left-field foul pole to end it.

The loss extended the Reds' stretch of winless series in Philly to seven, including six losing ones.

Reds starter Homer Bailey pitched seven scoreless innings with five hits, one walk and three strikeouts.

Leading off the top of the second inning against Jonathan Pettibone, Jay Bruce hit a 2-1 pitch for a home run to center field. His fifth long ball of the season, it extended his season-high hitting streak to 10 games and 15 of the last 16.

In the sixth inning, Joey Votto notched his second hit of the day with a leadoff single to center field. Votto has an eight-game hitting streak. After Bruce flied out to left field, Domonic Brown's errant throw to first base for a double-play attempt let Votto take second base. Votto scored on Todd Frazier's double off of the right-field wall.

Bailey did not return for the eighth and Jonathan Broxton took over. With two outs, Ben Revere reached on an infield single near first base, sliding headfirst ahead of Votto's toss to Broxton. Michael Young worked a full count before walking to bring up Chase Utley. Lefty Sean Marshall entered but gave up a lofted single to left-center field for Philadephia's first run, ending the team's scoreless streak at 16 innings.

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Cueto contemplating mechanical change

By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com | 5/19/2013 2:13 P.M. ET

PHILADELPHIA -- Reds ace Johnny Cueto's performance jumped another level in quality in 2011 when he made a change to his mechanics that had him turning his back to the batter. It was similar to something Luis Tiant did in the 1970s.

2011 was also the year that a nagging injury started occurring for Cueto, who strained his right lat muscle late that season and again last month when he was placed on the disabled list. In 2012 during the playoffs, he strained his right oblique muscle. He suffered a recurrence of oblique soreness earlier this month, as well during his rehab process.

"This is part of the game, to get hurt. Maybe the rotation I do and that mechanic I do is affecting me," Cueto said Sunday as Tomas Vera translated. "I'm going to have to see what's going on. If that continues to happen, I'm going to have to make some changes in my mechanics."

Cueto, who is 1-0 with a 2.60 ERA in three starts for the Reds this season, will be activated from the disabled list on Monday to face the Mets in the opener of a three-game series at Citi Field. He has made two rehab starts for Class A Dayton without issue, totaling 13 innings with one run allowed. He threw 58 pitches in five scoreless innings on Tuesday for the Dragons.

"I'm happy and thank God most of all, I'm healthy," Cueto said. "I will continue to work hard and see what happens."

Cozart scratched from lineup with illness

PHILADELPHIA -- The Reds were forced to scratch shortstop Zack Cozart from Sunday's lineup due to illness. Cesar Izturis started in Cozart's place and batted second.

Izturis, the only Spring Training non-roster invitee to earn a roster spot out of camp, made only his seventh start of the season and played in his 15th game overall. He came in batting .167 (6-for-19) with two RBIs

When Izturis plays, the Reds lose nothing on defense, as he was a 2004 Gold Glove winner.

"He came here with that reputation," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He's been trying to find his stroke for a while, but Cozart is trying to find his too. Izturis is ready to play every day. He hasn't played that much -- him and Jack Hannahan are usually two of the first guys here every day, staying ready. You never know when you're going to be pressed into service."

Cairo ready to help in new role for Reds

PHILADELPHIA -- On Friday, when manager Dusty Baker vehemently argued after a play at the plate called safe that scored a Phillies run, one wondered if he might get ejected.

Now that Chris Speier has moved from the bench to coach at third base while Mark Berry is away for cancer treatment, Miguel Cairo is the bench coach. He would have stepped in as manager if Baker was thrown out.

"I was ready. I'll be ready," Cairo said.

Cairo retired as a player following last season, capping a 17-year career in the big leagues. On Feb. 14, he joined the Reds' baseball-operations department as a special assistant to general manager Walt Jocketty. But plans changed upon Berry's throat cancer diagnosis in March, and Cairo has gotten a lot of coaching exposure in a jiffy.

"It's been a learning experience," Cairo said. "I've got Dusty and the rest of the coaches with a lot of experience. I'm right besides Dusty. He's got a lot of experience. His job is a handful and he knows how to deal with it. This has been an opportunity to learn."

Like most coaches, Cairo has a fungo bat at his side nearly constantly and has recently started throwing batting practice.

"I wasn't planning on this, but they asked me to help," he said. "Walt brought me over here to work with him, and I couldn't say no. It's a great opportunity for me."

Cairo, who has played for managers like Baker, Joe Torre and Tony La Russa, could one day be a skipper himself. That's not at the forefront at the moment, however.

"Right now, I'm just trying to help," Cairo said. "Later on, maybe. I want to help with the players and be helpful for the team."

MRI confirms no new injury for Heisey

PHILADELPHIA -- Injured Reds left fielder Chris Heisey, who had a setback early last week while rehabbing his injured right hamstring, had an MRI taken in Cincinnati. It confirmed the strain, but no other serious injury was found.

Heisey, who has been on the disabled list since April 29, has been continuing his treatment. There is no timetable known for when he might get back on a rehab assignment and into games.

"I don't know about square one, but maybe two or three," head trainer Paul Lessard said on Sunday. "He's doing well with the treatment, and he's feeling better."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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