"The Reds' meetings with the Philadelphia Phillies give them an idea of what they have to shoot for, what they should aspire to.

Because, as they proved again Tuesday night, the Phillies are a whole lot better than the Reds.

Starting pitcher Roy Halladay and two relievers shut out the Reds 9-0 on three hits before a crowd of 19,317 at Great American Ball Park.

The Phillies hit four home runs – Ryan Howard (two), Hunter Pence and Raul Ibanez – to turn this into a rout.

The Phillies are 5-1 against the Reds this season. The Phillies also pulled off a three-game sweep of the Reds in the last year's postseason.

"Their lineup right now with Jimmy (Rollins) on the DL isn't quite as potent," losing pitcher Bronson Arroyo said. "They got power all over the place. They've got some speed. And their pitching staff is where it's at. When you've got three guys who on any given year can win a Cy Young – as consistent as they've been – it's very difficult to beat them on a consistent basis."