Categories: 2020 Postgame Recaps

Howard goes down, offense explodes in Phillies win over Marlins

FINAL: Phillies 12, Marlins 6

The Philadelphia Phillies lost their starting pitcher early, but their offense carried the load in a victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday night.

Spencer Howard left the game early with shoulder stiffness. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

Starting pitcher Spencer Howard looked excellent in the early innings at Marlins Park, but gave up a home run and was subsequently removed due to injury in the fourth inning.

Despite the issues with the pitching, the Phillies put up crooked numbers offensively in a 12-6 win. This brought their record to 23-20, still good for second place in the National League East.

Top Plays

After Rhys Hoskins reached on an error and Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto walked, Didi Gregorius blasted a grand slam off Marlins starter José Ureña in the top of the first inning. The shortstop gave the Phillies a 4-0 lead on just one hit.

Harper extended the lead to 5-0 in the third with a home run of his own. The opposite-field home run was Harper’s first since Aug. 22.

The right-handed Howard cruised through three hitless innings to start the game, but things quickly went downhill in the bottom of the fourth. He surrendered a two-out single and walk, then gave up a three-run home run to Brian Anderson to cut the lead to 5-3. Howard left the game after the home run with an injury.

The Phillies added a run in the top of the fifth inning, as Realmuto scored from third on a wild pitch by Marlins reliever James Hoyt.
Lewis Brinson gave the Marlins a run in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI double against rookie reliever JoJo Romero.

Jean Segura singled with one out in the seventh, then advanced from first to third with the help of a great slide on a single from Alec Bohm. He scored on an infield single from Adam Haseley, bringing the score to 7-4.
An infield single by former Phillie Corey Dickerson scored a run and brought the score to 7-5 in the bottom of the seventh. Realmuto had a chance to get the out at first, but threw wide of the first baseman Hoskins. Hoskins seemed to have hit Dickerson and bent his wrist back trying to make the play, but continued playing in the game.
The Phillies put up five more runs in the top of the eighth. Segura hit an RBI single, Bohm hit an RBI double and Kyle Garlick hit a three-RBI double in the big inning.

Brandon Workman, who allowed the run in the previous inning, gave up a home run to Jesús Aguilar in the bottom of the eighth.

Left-hander Adam Morgan returned from the injured list to pitch the ninth inning and finish off a 12-6 win for the Phillies.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Spencer Howard: 3 2/3 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 66 pitches.

The rookie pitched tremendously early in his start. He was locating his pitches well, and Miami hitters didn’t seem to have an answer for him. Then the fourth inning came along.

Following Anderson’s homer, Howard was taken out with an apparent injury. The broadcast later said he was removed with right shoulder stiffness. Howard has some history with shoulder problems, as he missed time in the minor leagues due to shoulder injury as well.

José Ureña: 4 1/3 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 2 HR, 90 pitches.

The long ball hurt Ureña the most in this outing, which was his second of the season. The right-hander allowed five of the six runs he surrendered on just two swings. Gregorius’ grand slam in the first and Harper’s solo home run in the third allowed by Ureña started what would be another strong night offensively for the Phillies.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game: Didi Gregorius

Gregorius got the Phillies offense rolling with his second grand slam as a member of his new team. He also singled, walked and scored an additional run in the game.

Ticket IQ Next Game