Phillies rally for 4 in 9th, win in 11th over Reds
PHILADELPHIA -- After a Maikel Franco three-run home run sent the game to extra innings, Cody Asche's double in the bottom of the 11th inning followed by an error by pitcher Ryan Mattheus on a Freddy Galvis infield ground ball gave the Phillies their second come-from-behind victory in two nights versus the Reds, this time by a score of 5-4.
First baseman Joey Votto fielded the grounder and tossed the ball to Mattheus, but the pitcher was unable to handle the toss. Asche, who had advanced to third on the dribbler, scored the game-winning run on the error. Galvis was not credited with an RBI.
"It hit off my glove, I should make that play," Mattheus said. "There's no excuse for it. We practice that in Spring Training probably 500 times. I've got to make that play."
Video: CIN@PHI: Error allows Asche to score the winning run
For the second night in a row, Franco tied the game for the Phillies with a home run to left field. Tuesday night Franco tied the game in the eighth inning with a two-run home run. Wednesday, with Ryan Howard and Jeff Francoeur on first and second, Franco lined the Aroldis Chapman pitch into the left-field seats to tie the game at 4-4 after the Phillies entered the ninth inning trailing 4-0. The home run was projected by Statcast™ to land 414 feet away with an exit velocity of 105 mph.
"He's really showing what he can do with connecting and also the at-bats that he's getting against these pitchers, a lot of guys for the first time," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "But I really see the ball really taking off Franco's bat."
Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake carried a no-hit bid for 6 2/3 innings until it was broken up by a Franco single to left field. Leake threw eight innings-plus, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with nine strikeouts.
Video: CIN@PHI: Franco singles to break up no-hit attempt
Cole Hamels settled for a no decision for the Phillies in an uncharacteristically choppy start versus the Reds. Hamels entered the game 9-0 career versus the Reds with an ERA of 1.51 and a WHIP of 0.91. He allowed two runs, six hits and walked three in seven innings of work. Hamels is now 5-5 with an ERA of 2.88 this season.
Video: CIN@PHI: Franco talks about win, gets shaving creamed
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Chapman's rare blown save: For Chapman, it was his first blown save in 10 chances this season and it also snapped a streak of 29 consecutive saves since his last blown save on June 28, 2014, vs. the Giants. Chapman also ended his 74 2/3-innings streak without a home run allowed, which was the second longest active streak in the Majors. The last homer hit against him was by the Padres' Chase Headley on May 13, 2014. More >
Hitless behind Hamels: Wednesday was the second time in Hamels' last two starts that his team was threatened with a no-hitter. On May 29, Chad Bettis of the Rockies didn't give up a hit until Asche singled with one out in the eighth inning. The Phillies have only scored more than three runs in four of Hamels' 12 starts this year. More >
Video: CIN@PHI: Hamels fans eight over seven innings
Diekman allows Dinger: Jake Diekman continued his 2015 struggles by allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning after coming in, in the top of the ninth. The two runs, which came courtesy of a Votto home run, extended the Reds' lead to 4-0, setting the stage for extra innings. Diekman has now allowed 16 earned runs in 20 innings this season.
Video: CIN@PHI: Votto smashes a two-run shot to center
Price sticks with Leake: Leake had one hit allowed through eight scoreless innings and 107 pitches when Reds manager Bryan Price sent him back out to try for his first career shutout. The move would quickly backfire as Leake gave up back-to-back hits to pinch-hitter Ben Revere and Francoeur before Price went to Chapman.
"It's one of those things -- you're damned if you do, damned if you don't," Price said. "You take a guy out of a one-hit shutout and then if the same result happens, it's "why are you taking a guy out? He's given up one hit." More >
Video: CIN@PHI: Leake strikes out nine over eight
QUOTABLE
"What I've seen from Maikel is the better the pitcher, the better the stuff is, the better he is at hitting. He's unbelievable. It's unbelievable the skill he's got. He's got a quick bat. And the ability to drive high velocity fastballs is not something you see from a young player. That's a tough skill to have." -- Asche, on Franco's batting style
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Hamels has pitched seven or more innings and allowed two or fewer earned runs in a career-best six consecutive starts. It is the longest streak by a Phillies pitcher since Cliff Lee did it in nine consecutive starts from Aug. 4 - Sept. 20, 2011.
HAMELS IS OK
Hamels warmed up in the top of the eighth inning before Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg removed him from the game. Injured? Traded? Nah, Sandberg said they simply wanted Ken Giles to get a few more warm-up pitches.
Video: CIN@PHI: Hamels leaves the game before the 8th
WHAT'S NEXT
Reds: In Wednesday's 7:05 p.m. ET series finale, the Reds will send rookie Anthony DeSclafani to the mound for the start. DeSclafani allowed a season-high eight hits over six innings vs. the Nationals on Friday, but only two earned runs for a 5-2 win.
Phillies: Right-hander Aaron Harang has been one of the Phillies' few bright spots this season. He enters Thursday's series finale against the Reds with a 2.02 ERA in 11 starts, putting him into the conversation to make his first All-Star roster.
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