Categories: 2020 Postgame Recaps

Phillies pitching turns in embarrassing performance in loss to Marlins

Following an impressive win Saturday, the Philadelphia Phillies put up four runs in the bottom of the first inning Sunday, giving you the impression that the series finale against the Miami Marlins may turn into a runaway victory.

Nick Pivetta and the Phillies were hit hard Sunday. (Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

The final few innings of Sunday’s rubber match did turn out to be anti-climactic, but only because the Marlins pulled away with a series-clinching victory thanks to pitching woes from the Phillies.

Top Plays

Adam Haseley led off with a two-strike single that he smoked into left-center field, which Rhys Hoskins followed by poking a double into the left field corner. That brought Bryce Harper to the plate, and he lined the first pitch he saw at 109.1 mph into the right field stands:

The Phillies added another run in the top of the first on an RBI triple by, of all people, Jay Bruce, which plated Jean Segura.

Jesus Aguilar led off the top of the second inning with his second home run of the series, this one a 399-foot blast to right-center field:

As the tweet above indicates, that was just the first of two home runs that the Marlins would hit in the top of the second inning. Later in the inning, Miguel Rojas hit a game-tying three-run shot:

Sure enough, the Phillies retook the lead fairly quickly. In the home half of the second, Adam Haseley led off with a double. In the process of advancing to third base on a wild pitch, Haseley was able to come home because Marlins’ catcher Francisco Cervelli fired the ball into left field.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Marlins re-tied the game at five, as Miguel Rojas plated Isan Diaz with an RBI triple.
Later that inning, Rojas scored the go-ahead run for the Marlins, with Magneuris Sierra driving him in with a double to center field. For as much as Velasquez struggled, Cole Irvin was even worse in relief, as he gave up five hits and four runs in an inning plus of work.
After Irvin allowed the first two batters he faced in the top of the fifth inning to reach base, Reggie McClain came on in relief. On the first pitch that McClain threw, Brian Anderson hit a three-run home run just over the right field wall.
Former Phillie Corey Dickerson hit a 421-foot home run that landed in the second deck off of Nick Pivetta in the top of the sixth inning:

Haseley appears to be immune to any struggles the Phillies have had against the Marlins. He doubled into left field to bring home Phil Gosselin in the bottom of the sixth, giving him his third hit of the day. Of the three multi-hit games that Haseley has in his career, two have come against the Miami.
A walk by Harper loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth, but nothing came of it. J.T. Realmuto popped a ball up in the infield, before Didi Gregorius lined a ball right at Sierra in center field.
The Marlins added another run off Pivetta in the top of the seventh inning, with Sierra tripling to bring home Rojas, who reached based after being drilled by a pitch.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning, Segura flew out to left field to end the inning. Though it’s normally hard to criticize an offense that scores six runs, the Phillies should have scored 10 plus Sunday. Instead, they left 12 runners on base, going just 2-12 with runners in scoring position.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Robert Duggar: The 25-year-old righty didn’t know that he was starting until Sunday morning, when José Ureña was scratched. Duggar didn’t fare well, giving up six hits and five runs – four of which were earned – over three innings.
Vince Velasquez: Sunday was Velasquez’s 100th career start – 93 have come with the Phillies – and his performance left you wondering how many more starts he’ll make in his career. The 28-year-old returned to the mound for the second inning with a four-run lead, but proceeded to give all four runs back. Across three innings, Velasquez used 30 pitches, surrendered two home runs and gave up four runs.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Miguel Rojas

Rojas was excellent Sunday, going 3-4 with a three-run home run and four RBIs. He also reached based and ultimately scored a run after being hit by Nick Pivetta in the seventh inning.

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