Phillies winning streak snapped in 5-3 loss to Marlins
The Phillies failed to complete the series sweep and had their 5-game winning streak snapped in a 5-3 loss to the Marlins on Thursday night.
Marlins (59-85) Beat Phillies (80-63)
- Winning Pitcher: Pablo López (9-10, 3.99)
- Losing Pitcher: Noah Syndergaard (9-10, 4.18)
- Save: Dylan Floro (5, 3.45)
Kyle Schwarber hit his NL-leading 38th home run of the season and Brandon Marsh was a homer shy of the cycle but it wasn’t enough for the Phillies to overcome a poor start from Noah Syndergaard in Thursday’s loss.
Before we get to the poor start from Syndergaard, I feel we should pay homage to Brandon Marsh for a spectacular night at the dish. Marsh was a perfect 4-4, 2 R while logging two singles, a double and a triple. For one evening you could see why he was at one time the Angels top prospect and one of the highest regarded players in the minor leagues.
Marsh slashed .286/.314/.429 with 1 HR and 8 RBI in the month of August and has raised his batting average in the 2nd half of the season by nearly 30 points. After cycling through so many guys in centerfield over the past few season it’s supremely refreshing to see the Phillies with a young player who potential at the position.
Noah Syndergaard was his normal below average self tonight. I don’t mean to be critical, but I find it difficult to watch a former power pitcher struggle to navigate his way through lineups while relying heavily on one above average off-speed pitch. I suppose Syndergaard is doing exactly what he was brought here to do at the trade deadline. To eat 5 to 6 innings while giving the offense a chance to take the game over.
If not for the injuries to Zack Wheeler and Zack Eflin, I’m not sure there would be a place for Noah in the starting rotation. Bailey Falter has certainly been better over the past two months, although he is likely to be the odd man out when Wheeler makes his expected return next week. One thing is for certain, Syndergaard won’t be on the Phillies playoff roster come October unless a specific matchup or circumstance requires it.
Even with the loss, the Phillies still managed an impressive 12-7 record against Miami this season. Yes, the Marlins are not a very good team, but before the season beating teams like Miami was identified as one of the ways the Phillies could finally find themselves in the playoffs.
Just as important, the Phils have a 7-5 mark so far in the month of September. A series victory on the road against the Braves this weekend would go a long way toward finally exorcising those nasty playoff demons.
In injury-related news it was announced Rhys Hoskins avoided major injury when he was hit on the hand by a pitch on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, he will be forced to miss a few games with a sore hand including the aforementioned series this weekend in Atlanta.
Jordan Groshans takes Noah Syndergaard deep for a solo home run in the 3rd inning to gives the Marlins the lead.
1-0 Marlins
Thor picks off Berti in the 3rd inning. Berti was originally called safe but the Phils asked for a review and the call was overturned.
Bryan De La Cruz hits a back breaking three run home run off Noah Syndergaard in the 4th inning.
4-0 Marlins
Miguel Rojas takes exception to being called out looking and remarks to the home plate umpire…”That’s not even close bro”.
Kyle Schwarber puts the Phils on the board with a solo shot in the 6th inning.
4-1 Marlins
Edmundo Sosa injures his hamstring running to first base and is subsequently forced to leave the game.
Brandon Marsh notches his third hit of the day with an RBI double that cuts into the Marlins lead.
4-2 Marlins
Matt Vierling grounds out softly to shortstop to end the ball game.
Marlins win 5-3
Up Next for the Phillies
The Phillies will look to bounce back from their first loss in a week when they travel to Atlanta for the first game of a three game series against the Braves.
Ranger Suarez (9-5, 3.62) will toe the rubber facing off against Max Fried (13-6, 2.50) with the first pitch scheduled for 7:20 pm.
NBC Sports Philadelphia will carry the broadcast of the game.
Mandatory Photo Credit: Philadelphia Phillies
