Last Sunday, the Philadelphia Phillies and Zack Wheeler completed the sweep of the New York Mets, winning their eighth straight game. During the Mets series, the Phillies took control of first place in the National League East. Since then, they have dealt with two rain delays, on their way to a 1-3 record against the Los Angeles Dodgers and now, the Cincinnati Reds. Still after a rough week, the Phillies are 60-56 and tied atop of the NL East with the Atlanta Braves. The New York Mets sit in second place, a half game back of the leaders.

Zach Wheeler was on the mound last night for the Phillies looking to start the weekend off on the right foot. That didn’t happen. Wheeler simply did not have his best stuff on the mound, and the Phillies fell behind early 4-0. He pitched six innings, allowing four hits, four earned runs, and a walk while striking out six. Wheeler allowed a three-run home run to Joey Votto in the fourth inning to give the Reds a 3-0 lead. Nick Castellanos hit a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning to extend the Reds’ lead to 4-0. Eugenio Suarez added to the Reds lead with a two-run home run in the top of the 9th inning off of recently called up David Paulino.

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Offensively, the Phillies continue to struggle. Since the start of the Dodgers series early last week, the Phillies have scored a total of five runs in four games. They were shutout in one game and held to just one run in another. Over four games, the Phillies have just 22 hits and only four extra base hits. Their only run last night came from a double by Didi Gregorius in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Phillies lost 6-1 to the Cincinnati Reds.

The Phillies desperately need a win and will send Matt Moore to the mound today looking for a chance to win the series against the Reds on Sunday, when Aaron Nola will be on the mound. Moore, who has been slotted to start due to Zach Eflin being injured, has a 6.79 ERA in 50 1/3 innings this season.

It’s been a tough stretch over the last week for the Phillies, but regardless, they are still in first place in the National League East and the hunt for Red October continues.

RING IT.