Categories: 2023 Postgame Recaps

Phillies lose 2 of 3 against Miami as bats go cold against Marlins bullpen

Zack Wheeler threw six innings in Wednesday’s loss to the Marlins. (Cheryl Pursell)

Final Score: Marlins 3, Phillies 2

The Phillies had seven hits and two runs scored against Marlins starter Edward Cabrera through five innings.

Then four Marlins relievers combined to allow only one hit through five innings in a frustrating 3-2 loss to end the first homestand of the season.

When asked for takeaways from the 3-3 homestand, manager Rob Thomson said he believes the team is playing well.

“We had one bad game, but other than that, I thought we played well,” Thomson said. “We’re swinging the bats pretty well, playing good defense and it looks like our starting pitching is starting to come.”

The Phillies have lost eight of their first 12 games.

Bryan De La Cruz opened up the scoring in the fourth inning on a single, scoring Luis Arraez from second. It initially appeared that the Marlins second baseman hurt his hand on the slide, but he remained in the game.

Arraez had another chance to drive in more runs. He came in with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth inning after Wheeler walked three, but the Phillies right hander was able to battle back and the get the reigning American League batting champion to fly out to center field.

It’s been the story for most of his season, but the young hitters came through again for the Phillies. Brandon Marsh scored Nick Castellanos on a single in the fourth to tie the game. Bryson Stott, who extended his 12-game hitting streak to lead off the game, doubled home a run to take the lead in the fifth.

Unfortunately for the Phillies, José Alvarado’s incredible streak of dominance ended Wednesday. His consecutive streak of batters retired via strikeout ended at 11 when Jacob Stallings doubled in the seventh.

Rob Thomson tried to get five outs using Alvarado, but that planned backfired when Jorge Soler homered to lead off the eighth.

The Phillies only registered one hit through five innings against the Marlins bullpen. Gregory Soto, who threw a scoreless ninth inning, came on to start the top of the 10th and got Arraez to strike out swinging. Thomson called upon Craig Kimbrel to get the final two outs, but Bryan De La Cruz was able to drive the ghost runner Nick Fortes home with a single. He was tagged out at third by Castellanos, who registered his league-leading fifth outfield assist.

With A.J. Puk back out for a second inning, the Phillies were retired in order to end the game.

Shibe Vintage Sports Notes

J.T. Realmuto is 4-for-29 in his last seven games. When asked what he’s seeing out of his at-bats, Thomson said, “He’s just getting out of the zone a little bit. A lot of swings and misses, as you can see. He’s a good hitter and his timing might be off right now, but he’s a really good hitter.”