Phillies-Marlins Recap
It may have been Carlos Ruiz’s 1,000 game behind the plate for the Phillies, but a former catcher in the system would steal the show Tuesday night. Catching prospect, turned first baseman Tommy Joseph belted out his first career home run days after making his major league debut.
Joseph got the Phillies on the board early with his line-drive shot that just nipped the screening on the left field foul pole when he lead off the bottom of the 2nd inning. Joseph would have himself a night, adding two singles and bumping his batting average up to .400.
Third baseman Maikel Franco continues to struggle at home, going 0-4 in the game. In 18 games at Citizens Bank Park this season, the righty hitting slugger sports a .194/.213/.278 slash line.
Vincent Velasquez went five innings, striking out 10, allowing only three hits and two walks. He was not as efficient as he has been in past starts as he reached 60 pitches by the third inning. However, he and the bullpen were able to keep Marlins power hitter Giancarlo Stanton at bay as he went 0-3 with a walk and three punch-outs. The Phils would win the contest by a score of 3-1.
The Phillies are now only a half game out of first place. The NL East division leader, Washington Nationals fell 2-0 to Noah Syndergaard the New York Mets on Tuesday. The Phillies could potentially lead the division with a win against Miami coupled with another loss from the Nationals on Wednesday.
