Philadelphia Phillies Lose to Reds as Sal Stewart Sets Rookie Home Run Record

Philadelphia Phillies were hammered 11-5 by the Cincinnati Reds on July 8, 2026, at Great American Ball Park, snapping their recent offensive surge and extending their losing streak to one game. The loss kept the Phillies in 5th place in the National League with a 51-42 record, now on a L1 streak.

How did the Reds dominate the Phillies?

The Reds unleashed a barrage of power, hitting five home runs against Philadelphia's pitching staff. Four of those came in the fourth inning, turning a 2‑2 tie into an 11‑4 lead. Sal Stewart went deep twice, breaking Frank Robinson's long‑standing rookie record for pre‑All‑Star break homers. Elly De La Cruz and JJ Bleday added their own long balls, creating a historic back‑to‑back‑to‑back sequence.

What struggled for the Phillies' pitching?

Philadelphia starter Alan Rangel could not contain the Cincinnati barrage, surrendering a solo shot to Noelvi Marte before being pulled. Reliever Tanner Banks inherited a jam and gave up two more homers in the same frame. The Phillies' bullpen walked six batters in five innings, allowing the Reds to string together runs with minimal resistance. Chase Burns, the Reds' pitcher, survived five innings despite issuing six walks, but the offense made his job easy.

Which Phillies players tried to keep the game close?

The Phillies managed a couple of hits early, with rookie outfielder J.T. Miller reaching base twice, but none translated into runs. Veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto struck out twice and walked once, offering little relief. The offense never recovered after the fourth inning, and the team could not generate momentum against the Reds' relentless power display.

What does this loss mean for Philadelphia Phillies moving forward?

The defeat drops the Phillies to a 5th‑place standing in the NL, but the team remains within striking distance of a playoff spot. With a 51‑42 record, they still hold a winning percentage above .500. The loss also highlights the need for tighter control in the bullpen and more consistent run production against high‑octane offenses. Philadelphia will host the Reds again on July 9, offering a chance to even the series and stop the Reds from sweeping the final matchup.

Who made history in this game?

Sal Stewart's two homers gave him 18 and 19 on the season, eclipsing Frank Robinson's 1956 rookie mark of 18 before the All‑Star break. Stewart admitted he only learned of the feat after the game, expressing gratitude for joining such elite company. The Reds' trio of consecutive home runs marked the 15th occurrence of such a streak in the expansion era, underscoring the power surge that overwhelmed the Phillies.

The Phillies will look to tighten their pitching and find a spark in their lineup as they head into the final stretch of the season, hoping to climb the NL ladder and secure a postseason berth.