Philadelphia Phillies: Top 6 blowout wins all-time vs. Reds

The Phillies have had some impressive wins against the Reds over the years.

After being blown out embarrassingly, 11-1, by the Cincinnati Reds on Memorial Day, the Joe Girardi-led Philadelphia Phillies returned the favor and then some in a 17-3 rout the following evening. Seven home runs — including a grand slam from outfielder Matt Joyce against a position player pitching in the ninth — tied a single-game Phillies franchise record.

The Phillies also tied a franchise record (for the ninth time, and fourth time since 2008) by having four players with three-plus RBI in the same game — Joyce (4), Andrew McCutchen (4), Odubel Herrera (3), and Rhys Hoskins (3). Impressive milestones were also set, as starting pitcher Aaron Nola recorded his 1,000th career strikeout, while Hoskins notched his 100th career double.

If it seems as though the Phillies always put up crazy amounts of runs against the Reds, you are not mistaken. Since the start of the Modern Era (1901), the team has won 30 games by 14 or more runs — one win each against the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers; two wins each against the Atlanta Braves, Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and Colorado Rockies; and three wins each against the St. Louis Cardinals, Florida/Miami Marlins, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

The team the Phillies have routed far more often by 14 or more runs, however, are the Reds — with six different such wins, Bob Vetrone Jr. notes. Here is a breakdown of those half-dozen victories, with the first coming almost exactly 120 years ago.

June 24, 1901: Phillies 19, Reds 1

• Box Score

This late-June contest between the Phillies and Reds was a makeup game, rescheduled from a May 29 rainout. More than 5,000 fans in attendance at the Baker Bowl saw a quick two-hour game, despite 20 combined runs being scored. The Phils accounted for all but one of those runs.

The Phils got things going early in the first inning, facing Reds starting pitcher RHP Bill Phillips — who ended up tossing a complete game, despite allowing 22 hits, 19 runs, 10 earned runs, four walks, and a home run across eight innings and 54 batters faced.

The Phillies scored three runs in the opening frame, two in the second, six in the fourth, three in the fifth, and five in the seventh. In addition to outhitting the Reds, 22-5, their opposition recorded a glaringly bad six errors. The best-performing Philadelphia batter was right fielder Elmer Flick, who went 3-for-5 with three runs scored, a double, triple, five RBI, and one walks across six plate appearances.

Phillies left-handed pitcher Doc White, who ended up winning the 1906 World Series with the Chicago White Sox, went the distance as well. In nine innings, he allowed just five hits, one run, and one walk, while striking out seven of his 33 batters faced. Even White got involved at the plate, logging four hits in six plate appearances, including a home run.

The Reds struck out seven times in the game, while the Phils only struck out four times. It was just a different sport back then.

May 15, 1911: Phillies 21, Reds 5

• Box Score

Ten years later, the Phillies put up their next of six all-time blowout wins of 14 or more runs against the Reds. This game also took place at the Baker Bowl, and lasted just 42 minutes longer for a still-impressive two-hour, 42-minute contest compared to how long today’s games last.

Similar to Doc White, Philadelphia starter Bert Humphries went the distance and earned his first of 50 career wins. In nine innings, the right-hander surrendered 10 hits, five runs, one walk, and a home run, while striking out five of his 42 batters faced.

Reds starter Harry Gaspar was not as effective, as the right-hander lasted just 1 1/3 innings, allowing three hits, four runs, four walks, and a home run, while failing to strike out any of his 11 Phillies batters faced. Right-hander George McQuillan and left-hander Barney Schreiber followed in relief, and allowed 10 and seven runs respectively to close out their team’s 16-run defeat.

The Phils’ Nos. 1-3 hitters each homered, including right fielder John Titus, second baseman Otto Knabe, and third baseman Hans Lobert. Combined, this trio went 6-for-13 at the plate, and accounted for nine of the team’s 21 runs scored overall. Left-fielder Sherry Magee batted cleanup for the Phillies and recorded team-high two stolen bases and four hits, including three doubles. Eight years later, Magee coincidentally would win the 1919 World Series with the Reds — their first of five World Series championships in franchise history.

This convincing 21-5 win would improve the Phillies overall record to 21-6. Despite the strong start, they finished the year with just 79 wins.

August 10, 1930: Phillies 18, Reds 0

• Box Score

Nineteen years later, the Phillies won their third of six games all-time against the Reds by 14 or more runs. This contest was the first time that they blanked their opposition in such a victory.

The Phillies outhit the Reds 21-5, with every starting position player except first baseman Monk Sherlock (0-0, R, RBI, BB) logging multiple hits. Third baseman Pinky Whitney led the way for the Phillies with four RBI. Three of his four RBI scored with a bases-clearing double with nobody out in the top of the eighth inning. Whitney would come around to score on the same play thanks to a Reds fielding error.

One of the greatest hitters in Phillies franchise history batted cleanup during the victory — Chuck Klein, a Hall of Famer, two-time All-Star, and 1932 MVP. Playing in what was just his second full season, the right fielder went 4-for-5 with four runs scored, two RBI, and a walk, improving his season slash line to .405/.456/.720. Klein would go on to finish the year leading the majors in runs scored (158), doubles (59), and total bases (445).

As in the other two routs, the Phillies starting pitcher tossed a complete game. This was right-hander Claude Willoughby‘s last of four career shutouts, as he allowed five hits, no runs, and two walks, while striking out six of his 35 batters faced. Despite nine scoreless innings, his season record only improved to 4-11, while his season ERA lowered to a still-dismal 7.70.

July 14, 1934: Phillies 18, Reds 0

• Box Score

Just four years later, the Phillies blanked the Reds 18-0 again. They scored their first 16 runs in the first two innings, including 11 runs alone in the bottom of the second at the Baker Bowl.

Phillies southpaw starting pitcher Snipe Hansen went the distance, allowing just four hits and two walks, while striking out three of his 35 batters faced. Hansen opposed right-hander Don Brennan, who lasted just two-thirds of an inning. Larry Benton entered in relief but lasted just as long. Both pitchers yielded five earned runs, facing no more than eight Phillies batters.

Second baseman Lou Chiozza had a Phillies team-high four hits, while right fielder Johnny Moore and first baseman Dolph Camilli tied for the team lead in RBI (5).

July 6, 2009: Phillies 22, Reds 1

• Box Score

It would take three quarters of a century for the Phillies to have their next of six overall 14-plus-run blowout wins against the Reds. This time, it would be the defending World Series champion, Charlie Manuel-led squad putting together the offensive onslaught.

Before a crowd of more than 41,000 at Citizens Bank Park, the Phils scored 10 runs in the first inning and never looked back in the early-July, Monday evening contest. After eventual franchise hits leader Jimmy Rollins walked to start the first inning, Shane Victorino followed with a two-run home run opposite Johnny Cueto. Four batters later, Greg Dobbs hit another two-run blast, followed by Cole Hamels and Jimmy Rollins reach slugging RBI doubles. Capping off the frame was a three-run blast off the bat of Chase Utley.

While Hamels did not throw a complete game, he still tossed seven solid innings, allowing only three hits, one run, and two walks, while striking out two batters. Tyler Walker and Scott Eyre followed by tossing scoreless eighth and ninth innings, respectively, needing only 32 combined pitches to do so.

Victorino and Dobbs each logged four hits, Rollins three, and Utley, Jayson Werth, and Hamels with two each. Werth and Hamels were the only Phillies that struck out multiple times; even so, the Phillies right fielder led the team with five RBI across his six plate appearances.

The 2009 Phils would go on to win 10 of their next 11 games after this 22-1 rout. Three of those victories ended in walk-off fashion.