PHILADELPHIA − The Philadelphia Phillies were already leading the Cincinnati Reds, 1-0, in the first inning when Nick Castellanos stroked a two-run homer into the left field seats.

A jammed Citizens Bank Park came to a full, midsummer roar, and it was a former Reds player in Castellanos that induced the noise. Reds All-Star Game hopeful Andrew Abbott was on the mound, getting hit hard, and it felt like it just might not be the Reds’ day.

But it was the Reds’ day. Undeterred by the early, 3-0 deficit in the hostile environs of the National League East-leaders, Cincinnati plated at least one run in each of the next four innings. They also hung five runs on Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo in the third inning in an eventual 9-6 win in South Philadelphia. An Independence Day crowd of 42,166 attended the matinee.

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After the Reds fought back to tie the game at three, Spencer Steer’s two-run double down the left field line put the Reds in front, 5-3. Cincinnati wouldn’t look back, with Emilio Pagan closing it out in the ninth inning for his 19th save.

The Reds used a parade of base knocks to knock Luzardo out of the game after two-plus innings, and then rough up some of the Phillies relievers that came later.

Elly De La Cruz had two RBI singles. T.J. Friedl went 2-for-4. Steer and Tyler Stephenson both reached base in their first three plate appearances, and scored two runs apiece.

Abbott faced baserunners in three of the four innings he pitched in, and was lifted after 31/3 innings having allowed four runs on nine hits. It was the shortest outing of Abbott’s 10 starts in 2025.

But the Reds’ 9-4 lead in the fifth inning was already enough offense to take the game, even when Middletown native Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run double to deep left field in the sixth inning to make it 9-6.

Schwarber would come to the plate again with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning. He represented the tying run, but lined out to right field Will Benson on a ball measured at 113.7 mph off the bat.

The next batter, Bryce Harper, walked against Reds reliever Tony Santillan to load the bases. That brought Alex Bohm to the plate representing the go-ahead run, but Bohm struck out looking on a 98 mph fastball.

The Reds and Phillies will meet again Saturday for a scheduled 4:05 p.m. game. Cincinnati is scheduled to send starter Nick Lodolo (5-5, 3.52 ERA) out to face the Phillies’ Ranger Suarez (7-2, 2.00 ERA).

In the ninth inning, Reds closer Emilio Pagán came on and earned his 19th save in 22 opportunities.