Nick Williams hits a solo shot to lift Phillies past Reds
Words are one thing, but actions are another and Nick Williams put on a performance Monday night with a pinch-hit game-winning solo home run in the eighth inning to lift the Phillies to a 6-5 win over the visiting Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park.

Williams found himself in hot water over the weekend after commenting to reporters about his unhappiness with playing time. He came off the bench on Monday though and delivered, depositing a 3-1 pitch from Reds reliever Kevin Quakenbush into the Phillies' bullpen in right-center field.

"I was comfortable," Williams said afterward. "I saw the first pitch going down and instantly and I stuck with my approach and this is what happens when you do that."

Ahead in the count 3-0, manager Gabe Kapler said Williams had a green light to hack but instead exercised patience and took the next pitch for a strike.

"He took that pitch and you knew he felt really comfortable," Kapler said (see video below).

Phillies closer Hector Neris tossed a scoreless ninth to record the save, his first of the season.



The Phillies scored five runs off Reds starter Cody Reed who lasted just three innings. He surrendered four hits, including a pair of homers to Rhys Hoskins and Scott Kingery

The homer was Kingery's first at the Major League level and it came on a pitch that was way down and in, nearly at the shins.

"I didn't know how low it was until everyone was telling me," Kingery said afterward. "I'm just happy I got the barrel to it and it snuck out of here."

In eight games this season Kingery has played five different positions while hitting .259 (7-for-27) with three doubles and now a homer. He's also stolen two bases.

"I mean, Kingery is pretty impressive wherever we put him on the diamond, whether it be defense or offense, " Kapler said. "Even when he's making an out he's lining out to right field. He just seems to be at the right place at the right time and he's super reactive."

Luis Garcia collected the win for the Phillies, tossing a scoreless eighth.

Starter Ben Lively struggled at times, toughing it out through 5 2/3 innings but not before surrendering five runs on nine hits. He walked two and struck out seven.

Don't Look Now
With Monday's victory, the Phillies have won three of four and have scored an average of 8 1/2 runs per game since the home opener last Thursday.

What's Next
The two clubs resume their three-game set on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park with Aaron Nola set to square off against right-hander Homer Bailey.
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Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PGordonPBR

BY PATRICK GORDON
Managing Editor
pgordon@philadelphiabaseballreview.com

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