Philadelphia Phillies Shut Out For Tenth Time By Miami Marlins
This game had to result in some sense of closure. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jimmy Rollins was honored tonight in a formal pre-game ceremony for recently obtaining the 130+ year franchise hits record. The ceremony also served as an old-timer’s game of sorts, bringing back former Phillies like Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu, Mike Lieberthal, and Marlon Anderson to congratulate Rollins on his historic achievement.
It was a celebration of the greatness of the recent Phillies’ era, which was promptly put in stark contrast to the reality of today’s Phillies because, oh right! There was a game attached to this.
The Phillies’ offense managed only six hits against Nathan Eovaldi and the Miami Marlins bullpen, resulting in the 10th shutout of the team this season (in less than half a season, already the most since 1990).
Rollins lead off the game with a single in the first, but was eventually caught stealing to end the inning. Phillies’ starter Roberto Hernandez earned the first hit of his career in the 3rd, and Ryan Howard would single in the 4th.
However, the man with 4 out of the 7 of the Phillies’ total bases tonight was the now-hot Cody Asche, who went 3-3 with a double, raising his average to .274 on the year. Unfortunately, he can’t physically bat after putting himself on-base – that would have been the most likely way to score a run tonight.
Marlins’ starter Eovaldi went a clean 6.1 IP, allowing all 6 hits, with 1 BB and 2 K. The Marlins’ bullpen held down the fort for the remaining 2.2 IP, allowing no H, 1 BB, and 1 K during that time.
On the Phillies’ side of things, pitching was decent, if unspectacular. Roberto Hernandez was serviceable, going 6.0 IP himself with 6 K and 3 H. However, his control was an issue early, resulting in 3 BB and 2 ER.
Mario Hollands took care of 1.1 IP, with 1 H and 1 K, followed by a weaker, but clean outing from Justin De Fratus (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 ER).
Antonio Bastardo just wasn’t there tonight, with 2 H, 2 R and an error in 0.1 IP (both runs were unearned). Ken Giles dominantly ended the game in another comfortable outing, striking out both batters he faced.
This shutout is paired with a win by the division-leading Washington Nationals, meaning the Phillies have fallen back to 6 games in of the division race.
The series continues tomorrow as Marlins’ top prospect Andrew Heaney (1.50 ERA, 6.0 IP) takes on Phillies’ rookie David Buchanan.