Thursday’s series finale against the Marlins was a sloppy game for both teams, as errors proved to be the difference for both sides. A JJ Bleday fielding error gifted the Phils two runs, while a Rhys Hoskins blunder sealed the game for a woeful Marlins team.
After Kyle Gibson gave up his customary plethora of hits, the Marlins had a 4-3 lead in the fifth inning. Then, Bleday let an easy fly ball from Kyle Schwarber clank off his glove to keep the frame alive. After a single from Hoskins, Alec Bohm laced a liner just past a diving Bleday for two more runs, giving the Phils a 5-4 lead.
Facing a Marlins team that struggles to hit the baseball, it looked like the Phillies had this one in hand as they entered the ninth inning with a one run lead. David Robertson, who’s had a rocky past few outings, looked mighty shaky tonight. Garrett Cooper started things off with a double, then Hoskins let a Joey Wendle grounder slip right under his glove, scoring a run. With Wendle on second, Robertson walked Avisaíl García, and then surrendered an RBI single to Brian Anderson to give the Fish a 6-5 lead.
Robertson did manage to fan the next three hitters, but the damage was already done. Bryson Stott hit a one out single in the bottom of the ninth to show a glimmer of hope, but Jean Segura grounded into a double play to end the night.
It was a rough way to end what had been a thrilling series. The Phillies walked off game one and won 4-3 on Wednesday night, and should have had another one run victory on Thursday. However, a bullpen that had been rock solid for two months continues to show cracks. With any luck, healthy returns from Zach Eflin and Seranthony Domínguez will add some much needed depth, and give Rob Thomson some more quality options to call upon in high-leverage situations.