Chase Burns absorbed a terrifying 108.8 mph liner off Bryce Harper near his upper groin, yet the 23-year-old second overall pick in the 2024 draft stayed composed enough to retire Harper and finish the sixth inning. Burns delivered a dominant start, striking out nine over six innings while allowing only Trea Turner's solo shot. His 1.83 ERA now anchors a Reds rotation that desperately needed a win.

Cincinnati took a 4-1 victory over Philadelphia and climbed back above .500 at 25-24, snapping a three-game losing streak. Burns improved to 6-1 on the season and extended his stretch of allowing two or fewer runs in five straight starts. His 121 strikeouts through 18 career starts rank third in Reds history behind Gary Nolan and Nick Lodolo.

Manager Terry Francona joked that he hoped Burns wore a cup after the liner incident. Burns is 3-0 with a 0.72 ERA in May, having pitched like the franchise's next ace. His slider has become a devastating weapon that opponents struggle to square up.