The Phillies dealt the Reds their second straight shut out as Cliff Lee almost went the distance, earning his 15th win of the season in the process. Lee had dominated the Reds all night allowing just five hits and striking out seven. However, after getting the first two outs of the ninth quickly, Lee got into some trouble. He gave up a double to Joey Votto, walked Jay Brice and hit Miguel Cairo with a pitch to load the bases. Charlie Manuel opted to bring on Ryan Madson, who got Yonder Alonso to foul out to third for his 25th save of the season. It was the 19th shutout from Phillies pitching this year, which leads the majors.
Ryan Howard provided all the scoring the Phils would need in the top of the first when he grounded out to drive in Shane Victorino, who got on base four times tonight. The Phils second run came courtesy Hunter Pence’s 18th homer of the year in the sixth and Chase Utley knocked in Victorino in the 7th to round out the scoring.
The Phillies will go for the sweep tomorrow at 12:35pm with Vance Worley on the hill.