Losing streak continues for Phils, Buchanan demoted

A rough road outing by Phillies ace Cole Hamels and a sparkless offense led to the team’s fifth consecutive loss, as the Miami Marlins downed the visitors by a score of 7-0.

Hammered for 10 hits and six earned runs over six frames, the veteran Hamels fell to 1-3 on the season.

Second baseman Dee Gordon led the Marlins’ offense, collecting three hits and reaching base via walk twice.  With two stolen bases on top of that, Gordon scored three of his club’s seven runs.

The Marlins took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning when Martin Prado, owner of four RBI on the day, slammed a three-run homer.

Miami would add another run in the 3rd on a J.T. Realmuto double.  Giancarlo Stanton plated another run with a sacrifice fly in the 4th.  Prado struck again with a run-scoring double in the 6th while Realmuto wrapped up the scoring with single that drove in Marcell Ozuna in 7th.

Miami right-hander Dan Haren held the Phillies scoreless for six frames en route to his third win of the season.

Shortstop Freddy Galvis went 1-for-3 and is batting a team-best .341 on the year.

The Phils now stand at 8-17 on the season and sit in last place in the National League East division.  Their record in second worst in the league, ahead of Milwaukee’s 6-18 mark.

Also of note from Saturday, right-handed starting pitcher David Buchanan, who sported a 0-5 record along with an 8.76 ERA through five starts this season, was demoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.  Lefty reliever Elvis Araujo will take his place on the big league roster, according to reports.  The 23-year-old Venezuelan had a 7.45 ERA in seven appearances with Double-A Reading this season.

Additionally, it is expected that Chad Billingsley will fill Buchanan’s void in the rotation when his turn comes around on Tuesday in Atlanta.  The 30-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with a 4.74 ERA in four rehab outings with Lehigh Valley.