Bryce Harper made a triumphant return to the lineup after the birth of his third child, smashing a homer as the Philadelphia Phillies blanked the Cincinnati Reds 5-0 on Thursday, earning their second shutout win to split a four-game series.
Pitcher Zack Wheeler (2-3) was nearly untouchable, allowing just one hit over six innings, a single by Santiago Espinal in the third. He fanned eight batters and issued four walks, stretching his scoreless streak to 13 1/3 innings.
Philadelphia’s strong form continued, winning eight of their last 10 games and leading the majors with five shutouts, surpassing their total from last season.
Harper, back from paternity leave for the birth of his daughter, delivered a two-run homer in the third inning against Nick Martinez (0-1), capping a four-run surge. Harper has now slammed four home runs in four games against the Reds this season, with three coming on April 2.
Bryson Stott contributed with an RBI triple and later scored on Kyle Schwarber’s sacrifice fly, before adding an RBI single in the sixth inning. Trea Turner impressed with three hits, pushing his batting average to .336.
Pitchers Orion Kerkering and Jeff Hoffman combined to limit the Reds to just three hits.
Cincinnati, previously unscored upon in their first 21 games, suffered two shutouts in this series alone. Despite this, they managed to win the season series 4-3.
Martinez endured a tough outing, conceding five runs and 11 hits over six innings. He filled in for Frankie Montas, who is sidelined with a bruised right forearm after being hit by a comebacker off the bat of Taylor Ward from the Los Angeles Angels.
In injury news, Phillies’ RHP Taijuan Walker, out since spring training with right shoulder soreness, is slated to make his season debut against San Diego on Sunday.
For the Reds, Jonathan India returned to action after missing three games due to illness, going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts as a designated hitter. Outfielder Jake Fraley missed his fourth consecutive start due to illness.
In the upcoming games, Phillies’ RHP Aaron Nola (3-1, 3.16) will face off against RHP Joe Musgrove (3-2, 5.74) in San Diego on Friday, while Reds’ RHP Graham Ashcraft (3-1, 5.24) will start against RHP Nathan Eovaldi (1-2, 3.30) in Texas on Friday.
