Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Roy Halladay spun 7 1/3 innings of one-run
ball Wednesday, as the Philadelphia Phillies downed the Cincinnati Reds, 6-2,
in the finale of a three-game set at Great American Ball Park.
Halladay (9-7) scattered eight hits and walked one with five strikeouts to
earn his third consecutive winning decision.
Erik Kratz clubbed a three-run home run and Chase Utley added a two-run blast,
as the Phillies wrapped up a six-game road trip at 4-2.
Mike Leake (7-9) was tagged for six runs on six hits and one walk over just 2
1/3 innings to absorb the loss.
Jay Bruce finished with three hits, including a solo home run and two RBI for
the Reds, who have dropped eight straight season series against Philadelphia.
Joey Votto stroked a pair of base hits as he returned to the Reds lineup for
the first time since July 15 while recovering from a pair of surgeries on his
left knee.
The Phillies struck first as Ryan Howard and John Mayberry stroked back-to-
back singles to start the second before Domonic Brown slapped a single into
left-center field to score Howard for a 1-0 lead.
Kratz then launched a 2-2 slider into the first row in left field to provide
the Phillies with a four-run lead.
The Phils tacked on two more in the third, as Juan Pierre worked a leadoff
walk before Utley jumped on a first-pitch sinker and crushed it to
straightaway center field, extending the margin to 6-0.
Cincinnati got on the board in the fourth as Bruce clubbed a two-out double
into right field to score Chris Heisey, who singled to start the frame.
Halladay stifled the Reds from there, despite allowing a baserunner in each of
the next four innings, including a one-out single to Heisey in the eighth.
Antonio Bastardo entered and fanned Votto before flying out Ryan Ludwick to
end the eighth.
Jonathan Papelbon served up a leadoff blast to Bruce in the ninth to account
for the final margin.
GAME NOTES:
The Phillies won four of the seven matchups against the Reds this season.
Cincinnati last won a season series against Philadelphia in 2003 (5-4) ...
Leake fell to 0-3 in five career starts against Philadelphia ... Reds
shortstop Didi Gregorius made his major league debut. He finished 0-for-4.
The Sports Network