Reds stun Phillies 9-6 on July 5, 2025! Elly De La Cruz & Spencer Steer lead a 5-run comeback after an early deficit. Read how Cincy stole the show in Philly.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it looked like the holiday fireworks had fizzled out for the Reds, they lit up Citizens Bank Park with an offensive explosion. Shaking off a rare off-night from starter Andrew Abbott, Cincinnati stormed back with a five-run third inning to snatch a 9-6 victory from the Philadelphia Phillies, proving once again this team's resilience is its greatest weapon.
Manager Terry Francona is now just four wins away from joining the exclusive 2,000-win club.
The Reds' bats were quiet early, and with Andrew Abbott surprisingly allowing first-inning runs for the first time in his 15 starts, things looked grim. But the third inning changed everything. The rally was a full team effort, sparked by a clutch two-RBI double from Spencer Steer that turned the tide. Not to be outdone, Elly De La Cruz chipped in with two RBI singles of his own and made a game-altering defensive play, gunning down Edmundo Sosa at the plate in the fifth to kill a Phillies rally. With 11 hits on the night, including key contributions from Austin Hays, the offense showed it can pick up the pitching on any given night.
With Abbott exiting in the fourth, the game fell squarely on the shoulders of the bullpen. And they delivered. Sam Moll snagged the win with a solid performance, but the nail-biting moment came in the eighth. With the bases loaded and the game on the line, Tony Santillan came in and slammed the door with a massive strikeout. Emilio Pagán then took the mound in the ninth to calmly secure his 19th save of the season, capping off a gutsy performance from the relief corps.
While the big league club was battling in Philly, the future of the organization was making noise down on the farm. Outfielder Austin Hendrick had a standout Fourth of July, headlining a strong night across the Reds' minor league system. He's just one piece of an increasingly exciting prospect puzzle. The Reds' pipeline is loaded with talent, particularly on the mound with 2024's No. 2 overall pick Chase Burns and fellow top arm Rhett Lowder. Meanwhile, infielders Sal Stewart and Cam Collier are tearing it up for the Dayton Dragons, giving fans plenty to dream on for the coming years.
The Reds will look to ride this wave of momentum into Saturday's contest, but it won't be easy. They're sending lefty Nick Lodolo to the hill to face one of the National League's best in Ranger Suárez. Securing a series win against a team like the Phillies would be a massive statement. Can Lodolo outduel the ace and can the bats stay hot? First pitch can't come soon enough.
