GAME RECAP: Reds Crush Phils 11-2
Joey Votto walloped
three home runs on Tuesday night to lead the Reds to an 11-2 victory over the
Phillies and secure the three-game series at Great American Ball Park. Votto
finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs. It was his third career three-home run game --
joining Johnny Bench as the only Reds to accomplish that feat -- and his second
multi-homer game of the season. "It's very cliche to say it, but any time
you're alongside a name like that, it's an honor, it's meaningful," Votto
said. The Reds generated plenty of offense off Phillies starter Aaron Harang for a second straight week. This time,
Harang gave up a season-high seven earned runs on seven hits in six innings.
Harang also gave up four of Cincinnati's five home runs, which matched his
season total of home runs allowed. Anthony DeSclafani held the Phillies to only two
runs, despite giving up 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings. The rookie right-hander
picked up his third straight win and improved to 5-4 on the season with a 3.53
ERA. The Phillies have lost 14 of 18 to fall 16 games below .500 (22-38). "We
got off to a rough start in this one," Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg
said. "We need to play solid games and put some games together."
OTHER
NOTES FROM THE DAY:
- Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco
continued his torrid June with a double to left leading off the second
inning. Franco, batting .469 (15-for-32) with five doubles and four home
runs since June 2, later scored on a two-out single by Carlos Ruiz. He
finished 2-for-3.
- Votto hit two solo shots and a
two-run homer. He first hit a pair of solo home runs in the third and
fifth inning off Harang -- his first sparking a back-to-back effort with Todd Frazier, who
followed with his 17th long ball. He finished with a two-run homer to deep
right field in the seventh off Dustin McGowan, giving him 13 home runs on
the season. "Boy he had a great game," Reds manager Bryan Price
said of Votto. "Really set the table in the first inning by getting
the walk. Brandon [Phillips] and Joey each getting the game going with two
walks and sets the stage for [Jay Bruce's] hit,
an RBI, and [Zack] Cozart with the three-run homer, which gave us a nice
early cushion."
- Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg
appealed Votto's fifth-inning home run off Harang, suggesting fan
interference. The ball dropped between the hands of a fan reaching out
from his seat in left field. The replay official reviewed the play and
confirmed the call, saying the ball would have been out anyway, after a
1-minute, 25-second review.
- Bruce was ejected in the third inning
after he voiced his displeasure with a called strike three from home-plate
umpire Adam Hamari. Bruce was noticeably not happy after making the second
out, and he had made it all the way to the dugout before Hamari tossed
him. It was the first time since June 19, 2008, that Bruce had been
ejected. The ejection combined with Phillips' injury left the Reds with
only catcher Tucker Barnhart
and an injured Billy Hamilton on
the bench.
- Harang's ERA jumped 59 points (2.45
to 3.04), but his batting average jumped 76 points (.091 to .167), thanks
to singles in both of his at-bats.
- "The first-inning walks killed
me. That's what got me. I was too tentative, picking at the corners."
– Harang.
- The only active Reds to have faced Williams are Brennan
Boesch (0-for-5) and Brayan Pena (1-for-1).
- Cincinnati center fielder Billy Hamilton was left out of
Tuesday's starting lineup due to issues with his left wrist. He is day to
day.
- Moscot is the third Reds pitcher to make his MLB debut this
season, joining Raisel Iglesias and Michael Lorenzen.
NEXT
GAME:
Jon Moscot survived his first look at Major League hitters.
Wednesday afternoon, Moscot goes to work on the rest of his career. Cincinnati's
rookie right-hander made his big league debut Friday and was charged with four
runs over five innings of a 6-2 loss to San Diego. He takes the mound for the
second time against Philadelphia, trying to lead the Reds to a fourth straight
victory and a three-game series sweep. "When you get out on that mound and
you have a third deck in the stadium, it takes over a little bit," Moscot
said after the loss. "I wasn't pitching my game that first inning, I just
normally attack hitters and I was trying to be too fine." He struggled
early, throwing 37 pitches in the first inning while walking three and allowing
two hits. Moscot eventually settled in and retired 11 of the last 12 Padres he
faced. The 23-year-old is ranked by MLB.com as the Reds' No. 14 prospect. He had previously fared well in
nine starts at Triple-A Louisville (7-1, 3.15 ERA). The Phillies will counter
with Jerome Williams (3-5, 5.68), who has one win to show for his last eight
starts. The veteran right-hander has surrendered 87 hits in 63 1/3 innings with
a .323 opponents' batting average. Williams hasn't started against the Reds
since 2006, when he was with the Chicago Cubs. He is 1-1 with a 5.14 ERA vs.
Cincinnati in two starts and four relief appearances.
PHILS PHACTS:
Sandberg Pushes For Papelbon – Phillies
manager Ryne Sandberg knows exactly for whom he would cast his 2015
Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot. During a
pregame All-Star discussion Tuesday, Sandberg mentioned pitchers Jonathan Papelbon, Cole Hamels and Aaron Harang as well as shortstop Freddy Galvis as Phillies who should be considered.
But, Sandberg noted, Papelbon can make a particularly strong case. "He has
been our most consistent performer, day in and day out doing his job,"
Sandberg said. "You look at what he's done with those opportunities and
the quality of them ... if you look at it that way, he's a strong candidate for
us." Papelbon has a 1.13 ERA in 24 games and was 12-for-12 in save
opportunities entering Tuesday night's game against the Reds. Philadelphia's
all-time saves leader has converted 28 of 29 chances since last July 24. Closers
on struggling teams must often battle an irregular workload. Sandberg said
Papelbon has been a true professional about making sure that battle doesn't
have an unfavorable outcome. "He communicates that to us," Sandberg
said. "There are times when he might sit five, six days depending on how
the games go. He knows when he needs fine-tuning, when he needs an
outing." Papelbon came into Tuesday needing four saves to tie Rollie
Fingers (341) for the No. 12 spot on the all-time list. No Phillies player is
among the highest vote-getters in MLB.com's third National League All-Star voting
update. Fans can cast their votes for starters
at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on their computers, tablets and smartphones
-- using the 2015
Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot
until Thursday, July 2, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For the first time, voting is
exclusively online, where fans may submit up to 35 ballots. Fans may also
receive the ballot by texting VOTE to 89269 (USA) or 101010 (Canada). Or text
VOTA for a ballot in Spanish. Message and data rates may apply. Up to five
messages. No purchase required. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP for info. Following
the announcement of the 2015 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast
your 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player for each
league's All-Star roster. On Tuesday, July 14, watch the 2015 All-Star Game
live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the
Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2015 MLB
All-Star Game MVP Vote. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of
All-Star Week festivities. The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally
by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in
more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio
and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star
Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week
coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.
Phillies Look To Fill Gaps With Draft – The
Phillies took a high
school shortstop and a college
second baseman on Monday night in the first two
rounds of the 2015 MLB Draft. The Phillies took a high school shortstop, a
college first baseman and a high school pitcher with their first three picks
Tuesday. "We're very excited overall," Phillies amateur scouting
director Johnny Almaraz said. "Extremely confident that everyone is going
to be reporting here pretty soon." Here is a look at the Phillies'
selections in Rounds 3-5 on Day 2. The Draft concludes Wednesday, with
exclusive coverage of Rounds 11-40 on MLB.com beginning at noon ET. Round 3
(83rd pick overall): SS Lucas Williams, Dana Hills (Calif.) HS: Williams
(6-foot-1, 180 pounds) has committed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The
right-handed hitter, who goes by Luke, posted a .315 batting average in 32
games, and he has good speed. Williams set the school's career stolen-base
record this year. "This is somebody who we feel is a really good athlete
with the ability to hit," Almaraz said. "He can run. He can throw. We
see him more as a third baseman with some type of power. We were really pleased
to draft him. He's somebody we believe has a high ceiling, along with the fact
he knows how to play the game." Round 4 (114th pick): 1B Kyle Martin,
South Carolina: Martin earned second-team All-America honors during his
senior season with the South Carolina Gamecocks. He hit .350, with 12 doubles,
two triples, 14 home runs, 56 RBIs, a .455 on-base percentage and a .635
slugging percentage. Martin (6-foot-2, 240 pounds) walked 39 times, and he
struck out just 27 times. The Angels selected Martin in the 20th round of the
2014 Draft, but he returned for his senior season. "We believe he's a very
good prospect," Almaraz said. "He's got above-average power. He's got
the ability to go the other way. He came to our workout and answered some
questions, as far as his athleticism is considered." Round 5 (144th
pick) LHP Bailey Falter, Chino Hills (Calif.) HS: Falter is 6-foot-4 and
175 pounds. He throws in the mid-to-high 80-mph range, but scouts believe his
velocity will build in time. The southpaw has committed to UC-Santa Barbara. "He's
a projection," Almaraz said. "I felt he was one of the top pitchers
in the country, whether it be college or high school. The ability to pitch and
command his pitches. That is something you cannot teach, and he possesses that.
He's got a bright future and a chance to be a frontline starter."
But Can They Sign Them? – The
Phillies selected two college pitchers, two college hitters and one high school
hitter in Rounds 6-10 of the 2015 MLB Draft on Tuesday. The Draft concludes
Wednesday, with exclusive coverage of Rounds 11-40 on MLB.com beginning at noon
ET. Round 6 (174th pick): LHP Tyler Gilbert, USC: He went 5-2 with a
2.79 ERA as a junior with the Trojans, for whom he spent most of his time in
the bullpen. Gilbert allowed 68 hits, 21 earned runs, 25 walks and struck out
66 batters in 67 1/3 innings. Round 7 (204th pick): RHP Luke Leftwich,
Wofford College: Leftwich (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) is a junior with family
ties. His father, Phil, made 34 starts with the Angels from 1993-96. Leftwich's
grandfather, Tom Timmermann, pitched six season for the Tigers (1969-73) and
the Indians (1973-74). Leftwich went 7-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 16 appearances (14
starts) this season. He struck out 114 and walked 28 in 89 innings. Round 8
(234th pick): OF Greg Pickett, Legend High School (Parker, Colo.): Pickett
is listed at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds. He hit .420 this season, and he has power
from the left side of the plate. He has committed to Mississippi State, but
amateur scouting director Johnny Almaraz is confident Pickett and everybody
else the Phillies selected the first two days will sign. "Our area scouts
really did a great job in keeping the lines open with these high school kids
and college kids that sometimes have a tendency to not give us very accurate
signability [information]," Almaraz said. "We stayed on him. We got some
information that really, really made us make the decision of taking him in that
round. We're pretty sure that we're sending him out there pretty quickly to
start his career in the Gulf Coast League." Round 9 (264th pick): CF
Mark Laird, LSU: Laird has good speed, but he lacks power. Laird (6-foot-2,
180 pounds) played the corners in college, but the Phillies see him as a center
fielder. He has hit .323 with nine doubles, one triple, one home run, 23 RBIs,
a .379 slugging percentage and a .390 on-base percentage. He stole 23 bases in
29 attempts. "He can really run. He can really play defense," Almaraz
said. "If those speed guys learn how to bunt and use both sides of the
field, they're going to create havoc." Round 10 (294th pick): 3B Josh
Tobias, Florida: Tobias hit .373, with 14 doubles, five triples, five home
runs, 41 RBIs, a .557 slugging percentage and a .447 on-base percentage as a
senior. He is listed at 5-foot-9 and 195 pounds. "My biggest interest was
that Tobias just started hitting left-handed this year," Almaraz said.
"He possess above-average ability. At that point in the Draft, if you can
select somebody who can have an impact on the Major League club -- whether it's
as an everyday player, a left-handed bat off the bench or even an extra
outfielder or utility-type guy -- that's considered a really good Draft."
Phillies Select Leftwich In 7th
Round – The scouts who made their way to Wofford College in South Carolina
the past three seasons often noticed the last name first. Leftwich,
Leftwich, how do I know that name? Hey, did his dad pitch in the big leagues?
Yes, actually. Wofford College junior Luke Leftwich's father, Phil, made 34
starts with the Angels from 1993-96, and his grandfather, Tom Timmermann,
pitched six seasons with the Tigers (1969-73) and the Indians (1973-74). But
Leftwich, whom the Phillies selected on Tuesday in the seventh round of the
2015 MLB Draft, needed more than baseball history in the family to get selected
on Day 2 of the Draft. "We feel we have somebody who has the ability to
start and stay in that starting role because of his tools," Phillies
amateur scouting director Johnny Almaraz said. "Along with the ability to
pitch, our people felt that he was an extreme competitor." Leftwich went
7-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 16 appearances (14 starts) this season. Forget about the
ERA for a moment -- the occasional big inning inflated that -- and consider the
fact Leftwich struck out 114 batters and walked just 28 in 89 innings. "You
guys are going to get him at his best," Wofford College baseball coach
Todd Interdonato said. "We've only seen him scratch the surface of his
best in the last six weeks. He's definitely on the way up. He's not one of
these guys you see go high [in the Draft], and they kind of sputter out. I
really think he's going to make a steady climb, because he's just matured so much.
I think he's just at the start of making a really nice run." Interdonato
said interest in Leftwich really spiked after a successful relief appearance in
late April against Clemson. Leftwich struck out three in 1 2/3 scoreless
innings. "After that, there were just a lot of people there every Saturday
[to see Leftwich pitch]," Interdonato said. "I started to receive a
lot more phone calls, a lot more emails, a lot more text messages. It just
seemed like every one of his starts, his last four or five, there were between
15 and 30 people watching him every weekend." Leftwich's fastball sits at
92-93 mph, and it occasionally hits 95 mph. He also throws a slider, curveball
and changeup. "We knew we had something special the first day he showed up
on campus as a freshman," Interdonato said. "He showed up on the
first day of campus and he looked like a man. Our pitching coach and I looked
at each other like, 'This is not the kid we visited in high school. This kid
looks like a man.' Everything from there just gradually increased." Leftwich's
family history might have gotten scouts to notice him initially, but Almaraz
confirmed it had no bearing on the Phillies' selection. "Not because his
dad or grandfather played at that level," Almaraz said of the pick. "You've
still got to earn it on the back end," Interdonato added.
THE BEGINNING:
The
Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now at the bottom of the
NL east at 22-38. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and performance
this spring, don’t expect their competitive place in the standings to last. All
time, the Phillies are 42-53-0 on this day.
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