Phillies Cough Up Six-run Lead, Get Swept In Miami – Phillies Nation

Jesús Luzardo allowed six runs in 6 1/3 innings in a loss to the Marlins. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire)

- Advertisement -

The Phillies had a 6-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth. The Marlins came back to tie it 6-6 in the seventh and take the lead in the eighth in an 8-6 loss. Philadelphia has been swept in Miami and have lost nine of the first 12 games coming back from the break.

All three losses in Miami were tough, but this is the toughest to swallow. It’s the first time the Phillies have blown a six-run lead and lost since August 29, 2022 against the Diamondbacks.

The Marlins entered the series on a 12-game losing streak. They are now on a three-game winning streak after sweeping the Phillies. It’s the lowest moment of the Phillies’ season since the extended skid that led to the firing of manager Rob Thomson.

- Advertisement -

Jesús Luzardo entered the seventh with a three-run lead. Esteury Ruiz began the inning with a single, then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error from J.T. Realmuto. Ruiz came around to score on an RBI single, and Luzardo was lifted from the game with 100 pitches for Seth Johnson. Johnson, the frequently used righty, allowed a two-run single to Xavier Edwards.

Jonathan Bowlan, who allowed only one earned run in the month of July heading into the game, gave up a go-ahead pinch hit two-run home run to Griffin Conine.

After scoring six runs through the first five innings, the Phillies did not record a single hit from innings six to nine. They had a strong offensive showing against Marlins starter Ryan Gusto. Trea Turner homered, Bryce Harper tripled, Justin Crawford had two hits and Bryson Stott drove in a pair of RBIs with two outs.

They are not in deep trouble in the standings, but are in danger of falling behind if their stretch of poor play continues. The Diamondbacks have overtaken the Phillies for the second wild card spot after they beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0. Arizona and Philadelphia (57-52) have identical records, but Arizona holds the tiebreaker as the D-Backs took two of three from the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in April.

The Phillies will look to rebound on Friday at Camden Yards against the Baltimore Orioles. The No. 5 spot in the rotation is up, so the Phillies are listed as TBD.