Reds lose to Phillies 3-1 on July 6, 2025, as Chase Burns shines in his MLB debut but gets no support. Austin Hays' HR was the only hit. Recap inside.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of conflicting emotions for Reds Country. On one hand, the future took the mound in Philadelphia as top prospect Chase Burns made his highly anticipated MLB debut and looked every bit the part. On the other, the present-day offense was completely stifled, managing just a single hit in a frustrating 3-1 loss to the Phillies. While the result wasn't what fans hoped for, the performance from the rookie right-hander offered a massive silver lining.
The Reds managed just one hit in the game, with Austin Hays' solo home run being the lone offensive highlight.
All eyes were on Chase Burns, the No. 2 overall pick from the 2024 draft, as he faced the unenviable task of dueling Phillies ace Zack Wheeler for his first big league start. The kid didn't blink. Over five impressive innings, Burns held a potent Phillies lineup to just one run on five hits, striking out six while walking two. He showed electric stuff and incredible poise, keeping the Reds locked in a 1-1 tie. As social media clips of his strikeouts went viral, it was clear that Burns' debut lived up to the hype, giving fans a tangible reason for excitement.
While Burns was dealing, the Reds' bats were silent. Outside of a fourth-inning solo blast from Austin Hays, the offense was non-existent. Zack Wheeler and the Phillies bullpen completely dominated Cincinnati's lineup, holding them to that single hit. Key contributors like TJ Friedl (0-for-4), Matt McLain (0-for-3), Elly De La Cruz (0-for-3), and Spencer Steer (0-for-3) were all held in check, unable to generate any pressure. It was a stark reminder that even with brilliant pitching, you can't win if you don't score.
After Burns exited, the game remained deadlocked at 1-1 until the bottom of the eighth. The Reds' bullpen, which has been a source of inconsistency, couldn't hold the line. The Phillies scraped together two runs in the inning to break the tie, sealing the win and taking the series finale. It was a tough-luck loss that underscored the razor-thin margin for error when the offense provides zero support.
Looking at the system that produced Burns, there was plenty of action on Saturday. In Triple-A, the Louisville Bats secured a 3-1 victory, with Francisco Urbaez reaching base twice and reliever Luis Mey tossing two scoreless innings. It was a tougher day for the lower levels, as the Chattanooga Lookouts were shut out 7-0 despite a hit from Edwin Arroyo, and the Dayton Dragons fell 9-1, though Adam Serwinowski did manage to strike out six batters in his start.
While the loss in the series finale stings, the real story from Sunday is the arrival of Chase Burns. We saw a glimpse of the future on the mound, and it is electric. The challenge now is for the offense to wake up and provide the support this pitching staff, now featuring a potential new ace, deserves. The Reds will need to shake this one off quickly and find their bats as they continue this tough road trip.
