Hunter Greene made a successful return to Cincinnati's rotation Wednesday night, pitching six sparkling innings in an 8-0 victory over Philadelphia. Greene allowed three hits in his first major league start in more than two months.

Greene hadn't pitched at the MLB level since June 3. He went on the injured list after that as he dealt with a low-grade groin strain. It wasn't what Cincinnati or anyone wanted for the former No. 2 overall pick, but it was the hand they were dealt.

It did. Romano bent over in the universal signal of pitcher anguish. The game was 8-0, and the Phillies were now playing only to avoid the indignity of a shutout. But they did not avoid it. They went quietly in the eighth, and quietly in the ninth, and thus surrendered the series in the Queen City.