Bryce Harper's blast helps Phillies take down Reds

Bryce Harper returned from a three-day paternity leave and belted a two-run homer to lead the visiting Philadelphia Phillies past the Cincinnati Reds 5-0 on Thursday.

Starter Zack Wheeler (2-3) allowed one hit over six shutout innings to record the win for the Phillies, who earned a split of the four-game series with their second shutout in four days. Wheeler struck out eight and walked four in recording his second straight win.

Wheeler extended his scoreless streak to 13 1/3 innings in posting his second straight scoreless start, and third this season.

Trea Turner had three hits, while Harper and Bryson Stott had two hits. Stott drove in two with a two-out, third inning triple that put Philadelphia on top, 2-0.

Cincinnati starter Nick Martinez (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs on a career-high tying 11 hits over six innings. Martinez returned to the rotation after Frankie Montas went on the injured list with a bruised forearm.

After missing the first three games of the four-game series, Harper picked up where he left off against Cincinnati, drilling a two-run homer in a four-run third inning as the Phillies built a 4-0 lead.

The third-inning blast reached several rows deep up the right field bleachers for his fifth homer of the season, four of which have been at the expense of Cincinnati pitching.

Harper had three homers, including a grand slam, in a 9-4 win on April 2 in Philadelphia.

Harper fouled a ball off the outside of his left knee in the fifth inning and went down to one knee. Two pitches later he lined a grounder to short for his second hit.

The Reds had a big chance in the third when they loaded the bases against Wheeler but couldn't push across a run.

Following a walk to Jeimer Candelario, Santiago Espinal singled to right for Cincinnati's first hit. Two outs later, Elly De La Cruz walked to load the bases. Spencer Steer lined a ball down the left field line just foul before flying out to the warning track in right to end the threat.

—Field Level Media