Mayton’s single gave the Phillies a 7-6 victory over the Reds | Sport

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 on Tuesday night.

Matt Vierling homered and Jay T. Realmuto had two-run triples for the Phillies, who have won the first two of a four-game series to boost their NL wild-card chances. Philadelphia started the game in second place in the wild card race.

“It’s been a rollercoaster of a game and it’s nice to come out on top,” Matan said.

TJ Friedl had a two-run triple and Donovan Solano had two hits, including an RBI double, for the Reds.

“It was a great game,” Reds manager David Bell said. “It’s hard to say that when you’re losing. This would be a great game to win. It didn’t end our way and it’s very disappointing for our team.”

After the Phillies gave up two runs in the ninth and trailed 6-5, Gene Segura broke through in the bottom of the ninth, striking out Alexis Diaz (4-2). Pinch-hitter Bryson Stott singled to right-center and hit the top of the wall. Center fielder Nick Senzel knocked down two defenders, allowing Seguro to score on Stott’s double.

Diaz then struck out Virling with a swing before Mattan, hitting for Edmund Sosa, lined a 2-2 pitch to right field to score Stotta.

“He’s always ready to hit,” Stott said. “It’s great for us to come through.”

After a wild turn of events, Mayton was mobbed by his giddy teammates in short right field.

“We all believe in each other,” Stott said. “If you don’t, there’s going to be another great guy behind you who can do it as well. We never feel out of the game. With the forwards in that line-up, you know you’re never going to get out of it.”

Maybe the Phillies will get their best hitter back soon.

About 70 miles north of Philadelphia on Tuesday night, Bryce Harper hit a solo homer in his first at-bat and connected on a three-run shot in the eighth in his first rehab game at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 2021 NL MVP has been out since breaking his left thumb on June 25. Harper is eligible to return from the injured list on Thursday, but the Phillies said Monday that he will likely remain in Lehigh Valley until Saturday and possibly return to the Phillies when they begin a three-game series in Arizona on Monday.

Harper’s return will help an already confident group.

“Right now, I feel like we can beat any team in the game,” Segura said.

Brad Hand (3-1) picked up the win despite giving up two unearned runs in the ninth.

After an out to start the top of the ninth, Senzel reached on a throwing error by shortstop Sosa. Kyle Farmer’s infield single to deep shortstop on first and second. After Alejo Lopez flied out, Friedl hit a two-run triple that just eluded diving center fielder Bradley Zimmer in deep right-center to give the Reds a 6-5 lead.

STUNNING DEBUT

In his major league debut for the Phillies, Michael Plassmeyer pitched 1/3 scoreless innings in the decisive spot. Plassmeyer, called up from Lehigh Valley before the game to help with the Phillies’ injury-riddled bullpen, replaced starter Ranger Suarez with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth and lifted Austin Romine for three innings. He needed just six innings to send the Reds going 1-2-3 in the seventh, finishing with eight strikeouts in nine innings.

Plassmeyer, 25, was a fourth-round pick of the Seattle Mariners in 2018. The Phillies acquired him in a June trade from the San Francisco Giants, and the lefty was 4-2 with a 2.83 ERA in 11 games — all starts — at Triple A.

“Just trying to stay true to who I am as a pitcher,” he said. “Just tried to focus on my breathing and calm down a bit.”

FOR A START

Reds starter Nick Ladola was hitless through five innings, but left with just one out in the sixth. He allowed three hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Suarez gave up three runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings.

MORE STRIPS

Nick Castellanos extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth, and he is batting .364 during that stretch.

Training room

Reds: Mike Moustakas was removed from the game with a left shin injury after walking a base in the eighth after reaching third base. After the game, Bell predicted that Moustakas would not play Wednesday, but did not consider the injury serious. … INF Matt Reynolds (sore left hip) was placed on 10-day IL retroactive to Monday. Reynolds left the team in the seventh inning of Sunday’s 9-5 win over Pittsburgh because of hip soreness. … RHP Graham Ashcraft (right bicep soreness) was placed on the 15-day IL retroactively on Saturday.

Phillies: Kyle Schwarber returned to left field for the first time since straining his right calf on Aug. 11. Schwarber returned to the lineup as the DH on Friday. He went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts.

FURTHER

Reds RHP TJ Zeuch (0-2, 13.50) will start in place of the injured Ashcraft in the third contest of a four-game series against Philadelphia LHP Christopher Sanchez (1-1, 3.80) on Wednesday night.

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