There’s dominant.
There’s surgical.
And then there’s Ranger Suárez in 2025.
The Phillies’ left-handed maestro continued his All-Star campaign on Saturday afternoon, slicing through the Reds’ lineup for five innings before exiting with a 1.99 ERA, the lowest among qualified starters in the National League. He struck out six, threw just 80 pitches, and walked off the mound to a standing ovation.
And oh, by the way, the Phillies won the game, too.
Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber each belted two-run homers, Edmundo Sosa added a solo shot, and the Phillies rode the long ball and a bullpen relay team to a 5–1 win over Cincinnati at Citizens Bank Park.
After giving up seven runs in his first start of the season in May, he’s allowed just 11 over his last 11 starts. That’s not just dominance, that’s artistry.
The Phillies’ left-handed maestro continued his All-Star campaign on Saturday afternoon, slicing through the Reds’ lineup for five innings before exiting with a 1.99 ERA, the lowest among qualified starters in the National League. He struck out six, threw just 80 pitches, and walked off the mound to a standing ovation.
And oh, by the way, the Phillies won the game, too.
Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber each belted two-run homers, Edmundo Sosa added a solo shot, and the Phillies rode the long ball and a bullpen relay team to a 5–1 win over Cincinnati at Citizens Bank Park.
After giving up seven runs in his first start of the season in May, he’s allowed just 11 over his last 11 starts. That’s not just dominance, that’s artistry.
It's important to note though that Suarez's velocity Saturday was a tick below where it was in mid-June. The outing also was his shortest since his season debut on May 4 when he lasted just 3 2/3 innings against Arizona.
Even so, he managed to impress again.
The Reds briefly tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fifth on a solo homer by Will Benson, but Sosa immediately answered in the bottom half with a solo blast of his own off Reds lefty Nick Lodolo, who struck out eight over six innings but watched his ERA tick upward.
Then came Bohm. Then came Schwarber.
The Reds briefly tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fifth on a solo homer by Will Benson, but Sosa immediately answered in the bottom half with a solo blast of his own off Reds lefty Nick Lodolo, who struck out eight over six innings but watched his ERA tick upward.
Then came Bohm. Then came Schwarber.
Boom. Boom. Ballgame.
Bohm’s sixth-inning rocket to left scored Trea Turner — who had a pair of hits in the win — and gave the Phillies a 3-1 lead. Schwarber added the exclamation point two innings later with his 27th homer of the year, a towering shot that landed somewhere between Ashburn Alley and Broad Street.
The bullpen took it from there. Jordan Romano (1–3) earned the win and became the first of four Phillies relievers to toss a scoreless inning. Tanner Banks and Orion Kerkering bridged the gap before Matt Strahm slammed the door in the ninth.
And now, the stage is set for Sunday’s series finale. Zack Wheeler (8–3, 2.27 ERA) gets the ball against Reds rookie Chase Burns (0–1, 13.50 ERA).
But Saturday? Saturday belonged to Suárez — and a Phillies offense that reminded the Reds what happens when you hang pitches in South Philly.
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