Timing Is Right for Reds’ Reese

Pokey Reese lived up to his nickname in the ninth inning Wednesday night.

“It was a curveball away and I just poked it,” Reese said of his tiebreaking two-run, two-out single that led the Cincinnati Reds over the Philadelphia Phillies, 12-8.

The Reds, who trailed, 7-1, after four innings and 8-3 after six, scored nine runs in the last three innings as the Phillie bullpen failed to save another solid outing from starter Chad Ogea.

“We’ve proven that we can come back against anybody in this league,” Cincinnati Manager Jack McKeon said. “We knew that if we could get a couple of runs [in the seventh], we could come back.”

Jeffrey Hammonds also had a two-run single in the ninth to end the Phillies’ four-game winning streak.

Scott Rolen, Rico Brogna and Ron Gant hit consecutive home runs in the first inning for the Phillies. Gant’s inside-the-park shot gave Philadelphia three in a row for the first time since Milt Thompson, Von Hayes and Mike Schmidt did it on July 26, 1987.

Rolen had a career-high four hits and Doug Glanville homered and drove in four runs for the Phillies.

With the score tied, at 8-8, Jeff Brantley (1-1) walked Greg Vaughn leading off the ninth.

Pitcher Scott Williamson struck out trying to bunt, but Brantley, who recently came back from a shoulder problem, seemed to hurt himself and Ken Ryan relieved.

Barry Larkin walked, Eddie Taubensee flied out and Mark Lewis walked to load the bases before Reese and Hammonds followed with their hits.

Brett Tomko gave up seven runs and eight hits in his four innings, seeing his earned-run average climb to 7.76. He became the first Reds pitcher to give up four homers in a game since Jack Armstrong in 1991.

“He’s got to kick it in gear,” McKeon said. “You can’t live on your past. We know he’s better than that. He’s going to have to start showing it.”

Brantley, who has had arm problems in the past, was disconsolate after the game.

“I’ve got two words for you: disabled list,” Brantley said. “I don’t think there are any major problems but obviously something is up. I don’t have any pain, just fatigue.”

To replace Brantley, the Phillies purchased the contract of Steve Montgomery from triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre.