Nathaniel Lowe has 2 doubles, drives in 3 as Reds beat Phils 9-4 for Mattingly's first series loss

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nathaniel Lowe doubled twice and drove in three runs, including a pivotal two-bagger in the seventh inning, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-4 on Wednesday.

The Reds won two of three at Philadelphia, handing the Phillies their first series loss since Don Mattingly took over as interim manager. His record since replacing Rob Thomson fell to 16-6.

The Phillies had narrowed a four-run deficit to 5-4 when Lowe drove a 2-1 fastball from reliever Orion Kerkering off the wall in center field for a two-run double in the seventh.

Spencer Steer had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 11 games and Sal Stewart hit his 12th homer for the Reds. Andrew Abbott (4-2) allowed two runs, one earned, in 5 1/3 innings.

Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa homered for the Phillies, who were without major league home run leader Kyle Schwarber for a third straight game. Schwarber has been dealing with a stomach ailment. Aaron Nola (2-4) gave up four runs on eight hits in five innings.

Cincinnati catcher P.J. Higgins had a strong day at the plate, even if he was uneven behind it. Higgins had two hits and drove in two runs, but made two errors — one for throwing a ball into center while trying to throw out a baserunner, and the second for catcher interference, allowing the Phillies’ Edmundo Sosa to reach first base. The Phillies were also 4 for 4 stealing bags against Higgins.

RHP Chris Paddack (0-5, 7.07 ERA) is slated to start for Cincinnati on Friday in the opener of a series against visiting St. Louis. RHP Kyle Leahy (5-3. 3.94) will start for the Cardinals.

The Phillies will have LHP Cristopher Sanchez (5-2, 1.82) on the mound Friday for their series opener against visiting Cleveland and RHP Gavin Williams (6-3, 3.67).

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Cincinnati Reds' Andrew Abbott pitches during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh pours water over his head to cool off during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Phillies' Trea Turner scores past Cincinnati Reds catcher P.J. Higgins during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Cincinnati Reds' JJ Bleday slides safely into third ahead of the tag by Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Edmundo Sosa during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Cincinnati Reds catcher P.J. Higgins and pitcher Sam Moll celebrate their win after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The eastern U.S. sweated through a second day of early-season heat Wednesday, with some schoolchildren being sent home while others stayed in sweltering classrooms.

The Philadelphia school district shifted to remote learning for students at 57 schools, saying that while it has made progress, a number of schools continue to have inadequate air conditioning.

The National Weather Service said another day of record heat was expected from the mid-Atlantic to New England before a cold front brings rain later in the week. Daily high temperature records were broken Tuesday in Portland, Maine, at 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius) and Boston, at 96 degrees (35.5 degrees Celsius).

In Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, officials at one high school set up fans, passed around bottled water and allowed students to wear shorts and T-shirts instead of their usual uniforms.

“The heat outside feels like it’s manageable because of the wind but inside it feels just tight and burdening because we also have to go through quizzes, exams, there is no excuse,” student Ariolainy Baez told CBS News.

A heat advisory was in effect for portions of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island through Wednesday evening.

In New York City, city officials opened cooling centers to help residents find relief.

“Just as New Yorkers look out for one another through the coldest days of winter, we must do the same through the hottest days of the year,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said.

Associated Press writer Holly Ramer contributed from Concord, New Hampshire.

A person uses a fan as they wait in line to purchase Broadway tickets in Times Square, during a heat advisory in New York, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

A person uses an umbrella to shield themselves from the sun during a heat advisory in Central Park, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)