The Cincinnati Reds erased a 3-0 deficit to beat the Phillies 9-6 on July 4, 2025. Spencer Steer's clutch hitting led a five-run inning in an epic comeback.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it looked like the Philadelphia Phillies were about to spoil the holiday, the Cincinnati Reds lit up the sky with their own offensive fireworks. After falling into an early 3-0 hole, the Reds unleashed a spectacular five-run third inning, roaring back to claim a thrilling 9-6 victory on Independence Day. It was a classic display of this team's resilience, turning a potential blowout into a signature comeback win.
Tony Santillan striking out Alec Bohm with the bases loaded in the eighth inning was the gutsiest moment of the game, slamming the door on a massive Phillies threat.
The game looked grim after the first inning, but the tide turned dramatically in the third. The Reds' bats came alive in a massive way, erasing the deficit and then some. The rally was a full team effort, kicked off by Spencer Steer's clutch two-RBI double that breathed life back into the dugout. Not to be outdone, Austin Hays followed with an RBI double of his own to tie the game. Elly De La Cruz kept the line moving with one of his two RBI singles on the night, and Noelvi Marte chipped in to cap off the five-run explosion. It was the kind of inning that wins ballgames, with contributions up and down the lineup.
It was a rare off night for All-Star candidate Andrew Abbott, who uncharacteristically allowed a first-inning run for the first time in 15 starts. He battled through 3.1 innings, giving up nine hits and four runs, but his teammates picked him up in a big way. The bullpen was the unsung hero of the night, starting with Lyon Richardson and Taylor Rogers. The biggest test came in the eighth when Tony Santillan entered a bases-loaded, one-out jam. He stared down one of the Phillies' best hitters, Alec Bohm, and fanned him on a huge strikeout to escape the inning and preserve the lead. That was the ballgame right there.
While the big league club was lighting up Philly, the future of the Reds continued to develop. Down on the farm, outfielder Blake Dunn had a solid 2-for-4 night for Triple-A Louisville, while Jay Allen II smacked a double for Double-A Chattanooga. It was a relatively quiet day on the transaction wire, with no trades or major roster moves to report, signaling that the front office is content with the current group that's getting the job done.
This win wasn't just another notch in the belt; it was a statement. Beating a tough Phillies team on the road after an early gut punch shows the kind of fight this 45-42 Reds squad has. With the offense firing and the bullpen proving it can handle the heat, the rest of this series at Citizens Bank Park just got a lot more interesting. Let's see if they can carry this momentum forward and secure a huge series win.
