Notes From The Phillies’ 8-4 Loss To Cincinnati

The Philadelphia Phillies lost the third game of their series with the Reds on Sunday afternoon, falling 8-4. Their record drops to 17-31.

On The Mound

• Zach Eflin, for the third straight start, got absolutely demolished.
• Eflin allowed seven runs on nine hits over five innings, surrendering four home runs.
• Eflin’s ERA has ballooned to 6.13.
• Luis Garcia pitched two scoreless innings.
• Jeanmar Gomez pitched a scoreless eighth, but came back to allow a run in the ninth.

At The Plate

• The offense managed four runs on 10 hits.
• All four runs came in the second inning, with three coming on a homer from Andrew Knapp.
• Eflin would knock in the fourth run.
• Cesar Hernandez and Odubel Herrera both went 0-4 at the top of the order.
• Aaron Altherr went 2-3 with a couple of singles.
• Tommy Joseph went 1-3 with a single and scored a run.
• Michael Saunders went 2-4 with a pair of singles.
• Maikel Franco went 1-4 with a single.
• Freddy Galvis went 1-4 with a double and a walk.
• Ty Kelly had a pinch-hit double.

Final Thoughts

Well, Zach Eflin has regressed considerably.

After posting an ERA of 2.81 through his first five starts, Eflin’s ERA is now above 6.00.

He’s allowed 22 runs in his last three starts, and has failed to pitch a scoreless inning in each of his last 11 innings. Those are some pretty damning numbers. He’s a young pitcher whose confidence has clearly been rattled at this point.