PHILADELPHIA − Even when a Cincinnati Reds pitcher delivers a strong outing these days, it comes at a price. Or at least with a scare.
On the final pitch of the 86 Chase Burns threw to the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, May 19, he was struck by a Bryce Harper come-backer traveling at 108.8 mph in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. The ball appeared to hit Burns on the backside during the follow-through of his windup.
Such has been the Reds’ luck in May − except that Burns had the presence of mind, and maybe a sudden surge of adrenaline, to field the ball and lob a toss to first base for the final out of the Phillies’ at-bat.
The Reds were leading, 2-1, when Burns exited, and Cincinnati cashed in two insurance runs in their next at-bat. They went on to win, 4-1.
Burns (6-1, 1.83 ERA) allowed a lone run in his outing. It was a no-doubt, 409-foot, third-inning blast by Philadelphia’s Trea Turner. Beyond that, Burns allowed the hottest team in baseball precious few opportunities. The Phillies didn’t earn a walk and struck out nine times, tacking on just two hits to the Turner homer.
Cincinnati’s pitching woes have been exacerbated by injuries in recent weeks, as well as by additional injury scares such as when Brady Singer was hit with a come-backer in a May 12 start.
Burns has been the best part of the Reds staff so far in 2026. His start in Philadelphia was his seventh of at least six innings, and his ninth consecutive start that lasted into the sixth. The last time Burns didn’t reach the sixth inning was a five-inning, one-hit outing March 30 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Reds’ victory allowed them to improve to 25-24, and stave off dropping below .500 for the first time since they were 0-1 on Opening Day. The Phillies, who roared to a 25-23 record after starting the year with a 9-19 mark, lost for just the fifth time since manager Rob Thomson was fired April 28.
Burns was supported by two Reds offensive rallies. Cincinnati’s bats twice loaded the bases with no outs − in the fourth and seventh innings − and scored two runs from both opportunities.
Elly De La Cruz started the rally in the fourth inning with a triple and later scored Cincinnati’s opening run. De La Cruz also drove a run in with a bases-loaded walk in the seventh.
Dane Myers and JJ Bleday hit back-to-back sacrifice flies in the fourth to put the Reds up, 2-1. Matt McLain drove in a run on a check-swing that produced a grounder, was fielded by Harper but was late to catcher Rafael Marchán for the force out at home.
The play was initially ruled an out, but the Reds successfully challenged the play. Replay showed Blake Dunn was safe at home.
Burns also got an assist from the club’s ailing bullpen. A night after the Reds saw a hard-fought 4-3 lead evaporate on a two-run homer by Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott in the eighth inning, relievers Pierce Johnson, Sam Moll and Tony Santillan closed out the final three innings.
The Enquirer will update this report.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Chase Burns leads Cincinnati Reds to win over Philadelphia Phillies