CINCINNATI -- Offense continued to be a problem for the Phillies on Monday night as they were beaten, 4-2, by the Cincinnati Reds.
The Phils have scored just eight runs in four games on this road trip. They are 2-2 on the trip and 6-7 overall.
Starting pitcher Cliff Lee had just one bad inning, but that was one too many given the way the Phillies are scoring runs.
The Phils did tie the game in the eighth inning, but the Reds jumped on relievers Jeremy Horst and Mike Adams in the bottom of the inning to earn the win.
Starting pitching report
Lee and Bronson Arroyo hooked up in a swift-moving pitchers duel for much of the night.
Lee went seven innings and allowed just five hits and two runs. Both of those runs came in the seventh inning when he gave up a single, a double and his first walk of the season. He also threw a wild pitch and made a throwing error. Lee needed 28 pitches to get through the inning.
The lack of run support was nothing new to Lee. He received the fourth-worst run support in the majors last season (3.20). The Phils scored three or fewer runs in 20 of his 30 starts. So far this season, they have scored two or fewer in two of his three.
Arroyo allowed two runs over eight walk-free innings. He couldn’t protect a 2-0 lead in the eighth.
Bullpen report
Horst allowed two hits in the bottom of the eighth and walked Joey Votto intentionally before Adams allowed a two-run single to Brandon Phillips to give the Reds a 4-2 lead.
Aroldis Chapman iced the Phils in the ninth for the save. He struck out Ryan Howard on a 100-mph heater to end the game.
At the plate
The Phils had just four singles until Chase Utley came off the bench and tied the game with a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the top of the eighth. It was the Phils’ only extra-base hit of the night.
In the field
Ben Revere was spectacular. The Phillies’ centerfielder made one of the best catches you’ll ever see in a running, reaching, jumping, diving, over-the-shoulder grab of a Todd Frazier drive to the warning track in the second inning. Revere doubled up Jay Bruce at first. Bruce was convinced the ball was going to go or extra bases.
An inning later, Revere climbed the wall to take extra bases away from Ryan Hanigan.
The Reds' infield, particularly second baseman Phillips and third baseman Frazier, also flashed some impressive leather.
Lineup stuff
Utley did not start for the first time this season as manager Charlie Manuel continues to get Freddy Galvis some playing time. Galvis has started the last three games at third base, shortstop and second base. With Utley out, Galvis batted second and Jimmy Rollins third. Utley will return to his usual spot on Tuesday night.
Up next
Kyle Kendrick (1-1, 5.40) and Homer Bailey (1-1, 5.73) are the pitchers on Tuesday night.