Offense comes up lame as Marlins pull away, 6-3

Jake Arrieta pitched just fine in four innings of work, but the Phillies offense faltered and the bullpen vomited up a couple runs in a 6-3 loss Sunday to the Marlins.

Let’s start with Arrieta. He had a rough first inning, throwing more than 30 pitches while surrendering a home run, a walk and two singles. Then he settled down, striking out five while not giving up a hit after the first. He was fine. We weren’t expecting a shutout or anything, just for him to settle in and throw good pitches. Toward the end of his outing, he did just that.

The Phils offense responded after being down 3-0, as the top of the lineup manufactured two quick runs in the bottom of the first, and Rhys Hoskins doubled home the tying run in the third.

But then the offense stopped working, not getting a hit from the fourth through the eighth innings. And in the eighth, the Phils bullpen broke down, thanks primarily to Luis Garcia’s lack of command.

After Saturday’s fireworks, it’s disheartening to see the offense fall flat so quickly, but it’s early and we probably shouldn’t be too critical yet. The Phillies are 3-5. Not great, but not the end of the world.