Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly shares confident take after losing Reds series

The Philadelphia Phillies dropped two of three games to the Cincinnati Reds, losing the series finale 9-4 on Wednesday and ending a six-series winning streak under interim manager Don Mattingly. The defeat also was the team’s first series loss since Mattingly took over, with his record now at 16-6 after replacing Rob Thomson. The Phillies sit at 25-25 through 50 games, returning to .500 after consecutive losses.

“We’re fine,” Mattingly said following the loss. “There is nothing in here that scares me that we’re not going to be the team that we need to be.”

"There's nothing in here that scares me that we're not going to be the team we need to be."

Don Mattingly isn't concerned with the Phillies' struggles against the Reds. pic.twitter.com/VgtAmrGiQm

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) May 20, 2026

Cincinnati controlled much of the series, with the Reds winning two of three games in Philadelphia. Nathaniel Lowe played a pivotal role in the rubber game, collecting two doubles and driving in three runs, including a two-run double in the seventh inning off Orion Kerkering that came on a 2-1 fastball off the wall in center field. Spencer Steer extended his hitting streak to 11 games with two hits, while Sal Stewart smashed his 12th home run of the season. Cincinnati starter Andrew Abbott improved to 4-2, allowing two runs, one earned, in 5 1/3 innings.

The Phillies’ offense was limited early, going nine straight innings without a base hit before Brandon Marsh recorded an infield single in the fourth. Philadelphia’s first hit since Trea Turner’s solo home run in Tuesday’s loss came after that stretch.

Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa provided the main offensive production for the Phillies, with Bohm hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning and Sosa adding a two-run homer later in the same frame. Philadelphia narrowed the deficit to 5-4 before the Reds pulled away again, as Cincinnati scored in nearly every inning of the series except one.

Aaron Nola started for Philadelphia and took the loss, falling to 2-4 on the season after allowing four runs on eight hits over five innings. The bullpen also showed cracks, with multiple relievers allowing traffic and runs. Tim Mayza, Orion Kerkering, and Jose Alvarado each gave up at least one earned run in the series.

Kyle Schwarber missed his third consecutive game due to a stomach issue.

The Phillies will have an off day Thursday before opening a weekend series against the Cleveland Guardians at Citizens Bank Park.

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