Phillies lose series opener to the Marlins 4-3
The Phillies dropped the series opener to the division rival Miami Marlins 4-3 after Kyle Gibson was knocked out of the game early in the 5th inning.
At this point, the Marlins beating the Phillies is a tale as old as time. The Fish carried their recent dominance over the Phils into 2022 after going 27-21 over the past three seasons, including a 19-12 record in the last 31.
The Phillies combined for eleven hits compared to the Marlins six but were only 2-7 with RISP. Despite outhitting their opponents in 5 of 7 games this season the Phillies are losers of 3 straight and 4 of 5.
Sandy Alcantra was strong for the Marlins, picking up the win behind 6.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.
Kyle Schwarber continued his early season struggles going 1-5 and grounding into a huge 9th inning double play. He is now slashing a paltry .111/.226/.259 to begin the season. Schwarber is a career .214 hitter in April, and somehow is even worse in May posting a .200 mark.
Either way, it appears we are due to revert back to the mean at some point. Its difficult to win ball games when two of your outfielders are hitting a combined .111.
The only good news regarding the team came today, with the news that Jean Segura, who is slashing .353/.421/.765, would avoid the injury list after being hit with a pitch by those rats the New York Mets. Its ok though, I think Mets fans got the hint that they cant come to CBP and act like out of control assholes without consequences.
Marlins (2-4) Beat Phillies (3-4)
- Winning Pitcher: Sandy Alcantra (1-0)
- Losing Pitcher: Kyle Gibson (1-1)
- Save: Anthon Bender (1)
Kyle Schwarber led off the game with a double off the center field wall. After JT Realmuto moved Schwarber over to third base with a single, the Phillies took an early lead courtesy of a Bryce Harper RBI sac-fly.
Kyle Gibson tossing K’s!
Kyle Gibson was really rolling through 3 innings, allowing only one hit and tossing an easy 35 pitches. Gibson looked like he was headed for his second straight quality start, but began to unravel in a long 4th.
Matt Vierling popped up weakly to first base in the 4th inning with two runners in scoring position.
The Phillies had a baserunner in each of the first five innings but only managed to drive home one run.
Vierling entered the day batting .000/.067/.000 over 15 plate appearances. A near disastrous start to the season for a guy that hit .324 in 34 games during 2021 and was expected to bolster the thinnest position on the roster.
Kyle Gibson hung a curveball that Garrett Cooper sent halfway to Broward County knotting the game at 1-1.
The pride of Avon Grove High School and West Chester University Joey Wendle, put the Marlins ahead 3-1, driving in two runs with this flare down the left field line.
Wendle compiled a career.366 average as a four year starter for the Golden Rams. Somehow the Phillies overlooked the local product and he was drafted by the Indians in the sixth round of the 2012 draft.
The Rays traded him to the Marlins for reliever Cameron Misner this offseason. For a scrappy, homegrown guy that can play three infield positions, you would have thought the Phillies would have shown a modicum of interest.
Kyle Gibson failed to exit the 5th inning after allowing this RBI single to Jesus Sanchez increasing the Marlins lead to 4-1.
Of Gibson’s 91 pitches he managed to throw only a modest 61% for strikes and was hurt by the three walks he allowed over the 4th and 5th innings.
4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Bryce Harper hit the Phillies to within one run, driving in two with an RBI double off of Steven Okert.
Bryce Harper made a terrific catch to end the 8th inning while keeping the Marlins lead to only one run entering the 9th inning.
Once again the eye test says that Bryce Harper is an above average defender in right field, despite every ‘expert’ claims otherwise.
The Phillies bullpen was strong tonight tossing 3.1 innings and allowing only one hit.
After Kyle Schwarber grounded into a double play to clear the bases, Bryce Harper came to the plate as the winning run but couldn’t capitalize, lining out to Bryan De La Cruz to end the ball game.
4-3 Final.
Up Next
The Phillies will look to break their 3 game losing streak Friday night in game two of the series with Miami.
Zach Eflin (1-0) will make his second start of the season against Pablo Lopez (0-0) with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 pm.
NBC Sports Philadelphia carry the broadcast of the game.
