Phillies Beat Reds 22-1 In Complete Domination

There is no other way to describe a game that was expected to be a pitcher’s duel and wound up looking more like an exhibition between a defending World Series champion and the local little league squad sponsored by Dairy Queen.

The July 4th holiday has come and gone, but the annual fireworks games at Citizens Bank Park are not scheduled until the end of the week. However, the Phils’ lineup did their part to continue the fireworks exhibitions in Philadelphia by beating Cincinnati last night in every facet of the game (offense, defense, pitching), cruising to a 22-1 victory.

Everything unfolded rather quickly for Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto, who lasted just two thirds of an inning and was charged with nine-earned runs. Jimmy Rollins lead off with a walk and the Final Vote candidate for the All-Star game, Shane Victorino, provided some Hawaiian Punch with a two-run home run.

With two outs, Greg Dobbs connected for another two-run home run to give the Phillies a 4-0 lead. With the Phillies building a 7-0 lead in the first and with two runners on base, Reds manager had no choice but to pull his starting pitcher. After Cueto left the game, Chase Utley hit a three-run home run off of Reds pitcher Daniel Herrera.

The offense continued to have their way by scoring six runs over the next three innings. Things got so out of hand for the Reds that Baker decided to send in shortstop Paul Janish to pitch the eighth inning.

In his second appearance on the mound this season, Janish was hit hard by the Phillies. Janish walked two batters and gave up four hits, including a grand slam by Jayson Werth, who capped off the evening by representing the Phillies’ 22nd run of the evening. Janish took one for his team and allowed six runs in the eighth.

Not to be lost on the night of offensive fireworks was the performance of starter Cole Hamels, who needed a good game as his previous two outings were poor.

The ace of the staff got the job done on the mound, going seven full innings, allowing just three hits, one of which was a solo home run in the second inning. The strike outs were rare though as Hamels only recorded two strike outs, but he walked none.

Hamels also helped his own cause at the plate by hitting a key two-out double in the first inning, scoring two runs on the play. With two hits, two runs batted in and two runs scored, Hamels actually had a better offensive night than Ryan Howard, who went one-for-four.

Scott Eyre returned to action from his stint on the disabled list. The veteran lefty pitched the ninth inning with the Phillies holding on to a 21-run lead. Eyre gave up a pair of hits but struck out two batters and did not allow a run despite having two men in scoring position.

The Phillies set a season high with 21 hits on the night. The 10 first-inning runs tied a franchise high.

The 22 runs are fifth most in a game in franchise history and the most since scoring 26 against the Mets in 1985. The margin of victory is the largest in Phillies’ franchise history and the worst defeat in the Reds’ 140-year franchise history.