The Phillies have had bullpen issues over the past two years, and the Miami Marlins have continuously been the kryptonite to that pitching group. They once again played that role in an 11-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday night.
Rocky Start
The Fish had a less-than-ideal start to this one. While Jordan Holloway got a one-run cushion to trot out to in the bottom of the second, he blew that lead almost immediately after. That one-run lead came courtesy of a solo shot from newly acquired Joe Panik. Panik was traded from Toronto for Adam Cinder, and ailing Corey Dickerson. However, the Phillies snapped back with a four-run second. This was started by Bryce Harper mashing a 96 MPH fastball off the ivy wall in dead center, knotting the game up at one. Then, after a two-run triple from Nick Maton and a sac fly from Odubel Herrara, the Marlins found themselves down 4-1 after two innings.
Later, Adam Duvall hit an atomic bomb to left field to cut the lead to two in the top of the 4th. Duvall hit that ball 458 feet. But, they later slipped back into a three-run hole in that same inning. After Jordan Holloway gave up two straight walks to start the inning, he was pulled for Zach Pop. Pop would later be credited with the win in this one. But, he made his only mistake to Jean Segura. Segura slapped a ball into center, scoring Nick Maton, who went 1-2 with two RBI’s and produced two runs himself. The lead was 5-2 after four innings.
Marlins Fire Back
In the top of the 5th, the Marlins unleashed six runs, running Aaron Nola out of this game. The inning started with pinch hitter Magneuris Sierra getting on with a single. After two quick outs, the madness began. Garrett Cooper, Miguel Rojas, Jesus Sanchez, Joe Panik, and Sandy León all collected RBI’s in this inning. This 2-out outburst slotted the Marlins right into the lead by the end of the 5th.
Then in the 7th inning, Bryce Harper hit yet another solo homer, this time to right to slice the deficit down to just four. But in the 8th, after another RBI single from Jesus Sanchez, the Marlins essentially put the Phillies away. Yimi Garcia came on to record the save, and that was all she wrote.
What’s Next:
The Marlins will finish up this three-game set with the Phillies on Thursday night.