The Phillies wrapped up a four game series with Marlins in an early afternoon game in Miami that was broadcasted on YouTube. When the Phillies tweet out a lineup card featuring Spencer Howard, Brad Miller, and Roman Quinn, it was certainly hard to get excited.

Rhys Hoskins got the Phillies on the board with a solo home run to left centerfield. Hoskins, now riding a seven game hit streak, is slashing .360/.468/.600 over the last 15 games with 18 hits, three home runs, and 12 RBI. The Phillies desperately needed someone to step up and Hoskins continues to deliver while the rest of the core sits in the dugout on the injury list.

Spencer Howard was on the mound for the Phillies. Howard pitched four innings allowing two hits, one earned run, and three walks, while striking out four. In the fifth inning, Howard walked three straight batters to load the bases and was pulled from the game. He threw under 70 pitches but as usual, his command and velocity fell once he hit the fifth.

The Phillies have to be patient with Howard. I know it’s frustrating, as he continues to look like a bullpen arm rather than a starting pitcher, but they literally do not have another option and it’s time to see what type of progression we can get from Howard as a member of the rotation.

Ranger Suarez came in and got the Phillies out of a jam, letting up only one run and holding the Phillies lead at 2-1 heading into the sixth. He finished throwing three scoreless innings of one hit ball while striking out three. Suarez has now thrown 12 scoreless innings to start his 2021 season, allowing only eight baserunners. He’s been flat out dominant and has been a huge boost to a lackluster Phillies bullpen.

Jose Alvarado came into the game in the eighth inning. Just like last night, the Phillies weren’t able to hold the lead through the eighth. Even with some incredible defensive plays from third string rookie catcher Rafael Marchan, Alvarado struggled with command, walked three, and let up an RBI single to let the Marlins tie the game 2-2.

Odubel Herrera started the ninth inning with a lead-off triple and scored off a fielders choice from Ronald Torreys to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. Hector Neris came in and shut things down for the Phillies and just like that, the Phillies split a four game series with the Marlins and move back to one game under the .500 mark. on the season at 25-26.

Up Next: The Phillies will have the day off on Friday before heading to Tampa Bay to take on the Rays on Saturday afternoon.

Listen to The Misery Report

Mandatory Credit: Yahoo Sports