Jorge Alfaro continues to punish Phils as Marlins take Game 2

The Marlins salvaged a doubleheader split tonight with a 5-3 victory over the Phillies, largely powered by Jorge Alfaro’s continued dominance over his former team.

The Phillies offense sputtered after scoring 11 runs in Game 1 and the bullpen was far from repeating Aaron Nola’s pitching mastery.

Both teams cobbled together a selection of reliever arms to battle in this makeup from August 4. And both makeshift starters pitched well.

Ultimately the Phillies were unable to convert their chances, going 3-for-10 with RISP and leaving eight men on base in the abbreviated game.

Top Plays

• Blake Parker started the game by reeling in the fish 1-2-3 in first and second innings.
• Ronald Torreyes started the game at shortstop and Bryce Harper covered center.
• Andrew Knapp singled in third, advanced on a passed ball and scored on a sacrifice ground out by Rhys Hoskins.
• Heath Hembree pitched the third inning and gave up a 395-foot homer to Lewis Brinson to tie the game. Hembree has now allowed six home runs in six innings pitched.
• Ranger Suarez had his number called for the fourth inning but failed to record an out. A grounder by Brian Anderson was too hot to handle for a charging Alec Bohm and Anderson later scored after consecutive singles to give the Marlins a 2-1 lead. That was the end of Suarez.
• David Hale came in and with the bases loaded was able to induce a force out at home. However, newly-minted Phillie-killer Jorge Alfaro responded with a 2-run single extending the Marlins lead to 4-1.
• Torreyes recorded his first hit with the Phillies, a double in the fifth. He sped home following an Andrew McCutchen single to bring the Phillies within two.
• The Marlins added an insurance run in the sixth inning on a Starling Marte single.
• Bryce Harper recorded his first extra-base hit in 13 games with a double in the seventh.
• J.T. Realmuto went 3-for-4 in the game with an RBI. McCutchen and Bohm contributed with two hits.
• Joe Girardi said in his post game press conference that Zack Wheeler will try throwing tomorrow after re-injuring his nail earlier this week.

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance

Blake Parker: 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 R, 0 H, 3 K, 0 BB, 33 pitches

Blake was perfect tonight in his third career start. Although it lasted just two innings, it was exactly what the Phillies needed as they began this bullpen game in the midst of a seven-game series in Miami.

Daniel Castano: 3.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 R, 5 H, 1 K, 1 BB, 46 pitches

On the Marlins’ side, Daniel Castano also performed admirably in his spot start. Despite being a fish out of water, he scattered five Phillies hits, allowing just the single unearned run.

Phillies Nuggets Player of the Game:  Jorge Alfaro

Jorge Alfaro sealed the Marlins lead with a 2-run single in the fourth inning. Coming into the game, the former Phillies backstop was 21-for-49 with a .429/.429/.653 slash line in 14 games against his ex-club. He also hit a walk-off single in Thursday’s game.

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Saturday, Sept. 12 vs. Miami Marlins, Marlins Park
• Spencer Howard RHP (1-2) vs. Jose Urena RHP (0-0)
• NBC Sports Philadelphia | SportsRadio 94WIP

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