Reds 7, Phillies 0

Denny Neagle no-hit the Phils for six innings after a leaodff double.
(AP photos)
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PHILADELPHIA — This was a Philly cheesesteak of a victory for the Reds, stuffed with delicious significance.

Their 7-0 victory Tuesday night over the Philadelphia Phillies put them over .500 (13-12) for only the second time this year.

Cincinnati's season-high third consecutive win was its first in a series opener after eight straight defeats. Manager Jack McKeon proved to be a man of his word, having said before the game, “We'll break the streak tonight.”

The Reds posted their first shutout of the season as Denny Neagle and Scott Sullivan combined on a two-hitter. The pitching staff that was doubted all spring and maligned through most of April has allowed just 11 runs in the last six games while leading the Reds to a 5-2 record on this three-city trip. The team ERA has dwindled from 5.87 to 4.88.

“You can see the whole staff slowly coming together,” Neagle said. “I've said since spring training that we have a good starting rotation.”

Sean Casey got his first RBI of theyear with a two-run HR.
(AP photos)
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Neagle (3-0), still feeling queasy from a case of food poisoning that would have prevented him from making his scheduled start in Monday's rainout at Pittsburgh, no-hit the Phillies for six innings after yielding a double to the first batter he faced, Doug Glanville.

Neagle felt too weak to continue pitching after the sixth, but extended his streaks of scoreless innings (18) and victories (nine, dating back to last year).

“If I had a no-hitter, I think I would have summoned up enough energy to stay out there for at least one more inning,” said Neagle.

The biggest development for the Reds may have been Sean Casey's two-run homer in the second inning, which concluded a three-run uprising and gave him his first RBI of the season. Including a first-inning fly out, Casey had gone 39 at-bats without driving in a run.

“I was like, "Thank God,'” Casey said. “I needed to get an RBI. My teammates were all over me, joking around with me. But I feel like I'm starting to settle in.”

Pokey Reese is safe at third.
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Casey received plenty of help. Leadoff hitter Pokey Reese drove in two runs. Eddie Taubensee had three of Cincinnati's 12 hits, including two infield singles. Aaron Boone and Gookie Dawkins had two hits apiece.

“If we get good pitching, we don't need many runs. We'll just peck away,” McKeon said.

The Phillies (7-18) fell to 1-6 on their homestand while retaining the National League's worst record. Philadelphia has lost four games in a row, nine out of their last 10, and 14 of 17.

Philadelphia got a first-inning reprieve when the Reds squandered a bases-loaded, one-out opportunity as Dante Bichette struck out and Taubensee grounded out. But after Glanville doubled in the Phillies' half, he made an ill-advised dash to third base on Mickey Morandini's grounder to shortstop. Dawkins threw out Glanville easily.

The Reds broke through against Phillies starter Andy Ashby (1-3) in the second inning after Dawkins singled with one out. Dawkins moved to second base on Neagle's sacrifice and scored on Reese's single.

Up came Casey, who launched Ashby's 1-1 pitch over the right-field fence.

The Reds added three more runs in the sixth off Ashby, who's 2-11 lifetime at Veterans Stadium.

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