The Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds kicked off their 2023 season with a thrilling home opener at Citizens Bank Park on Monday. The game featured a lot of offense, some stellar pitching performances, and a dramatic finish.
Here are some of the highlights, score, injury news, roster, and injuries from the game.
The Phillies started the game with a bang, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning against Reds starter Luis Castillo. Bryce Harper hit a two-run homer to right field, his first of the season, followed by a solo shot by Rhys Hoskins.
Didi Gregorius capped off the rally with an RBI double to left-center.
The Reds responded with two runs in the top of the second inning against Phillies ace Aaron Nola. Nick Castellanos hit a solo homer to left field, his second of the season, and Mike Moustakas drove in another run with a single to right field.
The game remained 4-2 until the top of the sixth inning, when the Reds exploded for six runs to take an 8-4 lead. Joey Votto hit a two-run homer to right field, his first of the season, followed by a three-run blast by Eugenio Suarez, his third of the season. Jesse Winker added an RBI single to center field to cap off the inning.
The Phillies did not give up, however. They scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 8-7. J.T. Realmuto hit a two-run double to left field, and Alec Bohm drove him in with a single to center field.
The Reds added an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning against Phillies reliever Hector Neris. Tyler Stephenson hit a solo homer to left field, his first of the season, to make it 9-7.
The Phillies had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth inning against Reds closer Amir Garrett. They loaded the bases with one out on singles by Andrew McCutchen, Harper, and Hoskins.
Gregorius then hit a fly ball to deep right field that Castellanos caught at the warning track. McCutchen tagged up and scored from third base, but Harper was thrown out at third base by Castellanos for a game-ending double play. The final score was 9-8 in favor of the Reds.
The game was not without its injuries. The Phillies lost center fielder Roman Quinn in the fourth inning after he collided with the wall while trying to catch a fly ball by Suarez.
He was diagnosed with a concussion and will be placed on the 7-day injured list. The Reds lost second baseman Jonathan India in the seventh inning after he was hit by a pitch on his right hand by Phillies reliever Jose Alvarado.
He was diagnosed with a fractured finger and will be placed on the 10-day injured list.
The Phillies and Reds will continue their three-game series on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies will send Zack Wheeler to the mound, while the Reds will counter with Sonny Gray.
Final Thoughts: Phillies-Reds 2023 Home Opener
The Phillies-Reds 2023 home opener was an exciting game that showcased the offensive firepower of both teams. The Phillies started strong, scoring four runs in the first inning against Luis Castillo, but the Reds fought back, scoring six runs in the sixth inning to take the lead.
Despite a valiant effort by the Phillies, they were unable to overcome the deficit and lost the game 9-8.
One of the highlights of the game was Bryce Harper’s two-run homer in the first inning. Harper is one of the Phillies’ key players and will be expected to have a big season.
Another standout performer for the Phillies was J.T. Realmuto, who hit a two-run double in the sixth inning to bring the Phillies within one run of the Reds.
However, injuries were also a significant factor in the game. The Phillies lost center fielder Roman Quinn to a concussion after he collided with the wall in the fourth inning, while the Reds’ second baseman Jonathan India suffered a fractured finger in the seventh inning after being hit by a pitch.
Injuries are always a concern for teams, and the Phillies and Reds will need to make adjustments to their lineups as a result.
Overall, the Phillies-Reds 2023 home opener was an entertaining game that showcased the talent and potential of both teams. While the Phillies came up short, they showed that they have the ability to compete with one of the best teams in the National League.
The series will continue on Tuesday night, and it will be interesting to see how the teams adjust and respond to the challenges they faced in the home opener.
