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