Bryson Stott's 2-run HR in the 8th inning lifts Phillies past the Reds 5-4

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryson Stott hit a two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning and Jhoan Duran worked a 1-2-3 ninth as the Philadelphia Phillies extended their winning streak to five games with a 5-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night.

The Phillies (25-23) won for the eighth time in nine games and moved two games over .500 for the first time this season. They are 16-4 under interim manager Don Mattingly, who took over last month after Rob Thomson was fired.

Philadelphia scratched MLB home run leader Kyle Schwarber due to illness, and Stott was moved up to the No. 6 spot in a shuffled lineup and hit his fifth homer of the season.

Spencer Steer’s RBI double with two-out in the eighth off reliever Jose Alvarado had given the Reds a short-lived 4-3 lead.

Orion Kerkering (2-0) finished the eighth for Alvarado and was credited with the win. Reds reliever Graham Ashcraft (1-1) took the loss.

Reds starter Nick Lodolo was in trouble from the outset. Philadelphia leadoff hitter Trea Turner doubled off the wall in left field and Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm walked to load the bases with no outs. Edmundo Sosa and Adolis Garcia knocked in runs with sacrifice fly balls and Lodolo limited the damage to two runs in the inning.

The Reds got those runs back when Phillies starter Andrew Painter began the second by giving up consecutive singles to Sal Stewart, Nathaniel Lowe and Tyler Stephenson. Stewart scored on Stephenson's hit and TJ Friedl followed with a sacrifice fly, tying the game at 2.

The Phillies moved ahead in the sixth when Bohm hit his fourth homer. The Reds rallied in the seventh when Stewart hit an 0-2 pitch from reliever Brad Keller into the seats in right for his 11th homer of the season, tying the game at 3.

Prior to the game, the Phillies promoted Otto Kemp from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and sent down Felix Reyes. Kemp, who played 10 games with the Phillies at the beginning of the season, started game in left field.

The Reds will send RHP Chase Burns (5-1, 1.87 ERA) against Phillies LHP Jesus Luzardo (3-3, 5.07) Tuesday night.

Cincinnati Reds' Elly de la Cruz dodges a pitch from Philadelphia Phillies' José Alvarado during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, May 18, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Cincinnati Reds' Spencer Steer hits a run-scoring double against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher José Alvarado during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, May 18, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jhoan Duran reacts after Cincinnati Reds' TJ Friedl grounded out to end their baseball game Monday, May 18, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryson Stott, center, celebrates with Edmundo Sosa, left, after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Monday, May 18, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryson Stott follows through after hitting a two-run home run against Cincinnati Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, May 18, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

KOHALA, Hawaiʻi--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2026--

While the broader spirits market contracts, Kuleana Rum Works, the award-winning, Hawaiʻi-based distillery leading the additive-free rum movement, is growing at a pace that demands national infrastructure. The Company today announced a strategic partnership with Craft & Art Wine and Spirits, naming the firm as its sales and route-to-market partner for U.S. mainland expansion.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260518274076/en/

The momentum behind Kuleana Rum Works is not a trend story — it is a proof point. Nielsen data shows a 93.1% surge in 52-week dollar sales and 100% year-to-date growth, with shelf velocity that outpaces category trends at the Super Premium and Ultra tiers. Consumers are voting with their wallets for transparency and natural flavor, and Kuleana Rum Works is the brand they are finding.

Kuleana Rum Works’ additive-free philosophy begins at the source — fresh kō, heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane grown on its regenerative Kohala farm. Where most of the industry relies on additives to achieve flavor and consistency, Kuleana Rum Works takes a radically different approach: distilling natural character directly from an exceptionally rare material. It is not the easy path, but it produces something the industry cannot replicate with a formula.

“We’ve been leading what we call ‘Rum Revolution 2.0,’ proving that consumers are hungry for transparency and exceptional, natural flavor,” said Steve Jefferson, Founder and CEO of Kuleana Rum Works. “Our portfolio is built to power an entire cocktail program, limited only by your imagination. Partnering with Craft & Art gives us the national sales infrastructure to meet a demand that is already here.”

“Kuleana Rum Works isn’t just making rum — they are redefining the category with their commitment to fresh heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane juice and an uncompromising additive-free philosophy,” said Kevin Fennessey, CEO of Craft & Art Wine and Spirits. “Rum is at an inflection point, and Kuleana Rum Works is on the right side of it. We don’t take on brands — we take on stories we believe in. The consumer pull we are already seeing behind this portfolio made the decision easy. Our job now is to make sure every customer and consumer in the country has access to it.”

“The numbers tell you something is working. This partnership tells you we are serious about scaling it,” added Matt Mitchell-Hardt, Chief Sales Officer at Kuleana Rum Works. “Craft & Art gives us the ground game to convert momentum into market presence — account by account, market by market.”

That portfolio spans the full range of what additive-free rum can do: Huihui®, built for cocktails, earned 94 points and Wine Enthusiast’s Best Buy designation in 2025; Nanea®, a 95-point Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Spirit of 2025, brings depth and versatility to any back bar; Hawaiian Rum Agricole®, the brand’s flagship estate expression made from fresh kō, is among the rarest rums in the world; and Hōkūlei®, a blend of seven rums aged up to 18 years, rivals the world’s finest sipping spirits. Our breadth is by design: a comprehensive, additive-free collection built to anchor any professional cocktail program or elevated home bar.

About Kuleana Rum Works

Founded on the island of Hawaiʻi in 2013, Kuleana Rum Works crafts award-winning, additive-free rums from fresh kō (heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane) grown on its regenerative Kohala farm. Committed to the highest standards of quality, the brand distills its signature Hawaiian Rum Agricole® without the use of added sweeteners, colors, or flavors. Now available in 19 states and Japan, Kuleana Rum Works champions excellence, transparency and community stewardship in its mission to elevate rum as a world-class spirit. Visit kuleanarum.com to learn more.

About Craft & Art Wine and Spirits

Craft & Art Wine and Spirits is a premier sales and operations company founded to help emerging and high-growth beverage brands achieve national scale. Led by CEO Kevin Fennessey, the company provides its partners with a seasoned commercial team, operational support, trade marketing, and a robust distribution network across the United States. Craft & Art brings professional execution to complex, regulated markets, turning standout beverage brands into national names. For more information, visit craftandartws.com.

Loading fresh-cut kō (heirloom Hawaiian sugarcane) to make Hawaiian Rum Agricole, one of the highest rated rums in the word and always additive free. Kuleana Rum Works Farm at 'Upolu Point, Hawai'i