Phillies' Bullpen Collapses In Another Frustrating Loss To National League's Worst Marlins
MIAMI (AP) – Neil Walker homered and drove in three runs Saturday to help the Miami Marlins rally from a five-run deficit and beat the Philadelphia Phillies for the fifth consecutive time, 9-6. The Marlins fell behind 6-1 before starting their comeback when Walker snapped an 0-for-15 skid with a two-run homer in the sixth inning. He contributed an RBI single in Miami's six-run seventh, and JT Riddle delivered a tiebreaking two-run double off Adam Morgan (2-3).
Morgan and Juan Nicasio each gave up three runs in one-third of an inning. Philadelphia starter Zach Eflin allowed three runs in six innings and was pulled by manager Gabe Kapler after throwing 89 pitches.
The Marlins have the worst record in the National League, but they're 7-5 against the Phillies and will try to sweep them for the second weekend in a row Sunday.
Rookie Jordan Yamamoto, the first Marlins pitcher to win his first three career starts, had that streak end when he allowed four runs in four innings.
Jarlin Garcia (2-0) worked a scoreless seventh, and Sergio Romo pitched a perfect ninth for his 15th save.
Rookie Harold Ramirez had three of the Marlins' 15 hits to hike his average to .316. Garrett Cooper added two hits and two RBIs.
Rhys Hoskins hit a two-run homer for the Phillies. Scott Kingery had two hits and two RBIs and scored a run.
THIEVERY
Bryan Holaday was twice robbed by the Phillies' defense. Eflin missed a diving attempt to catch a popup near the first-base line but then collected the ball and tossed it for the out. Shortstop Jean Segura made a leaping catch of Holaday's line drive with a man on to prevent a run.
SOUTH FLORIDA APATHY
The crowd of 14,774 was the largest this month at Marlins Park. At the halfway point in their season, the Marlins are averaging 9,348 fans per home game, which puts them on pace for the lowest average attendance in the majors since the Expos' 7,935 in 2001.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: LF Jay Bruce (left elbow) was scratched from the starting lineup but was available to pinch-hit.
UP NEXT
Phillies: RHP Jake Arrieta (7-6, 4.33), who is scheduled to start the series finale, has allowed eight home runs in 27 2/3 innings this month.
Marlins: RHP Trevor Richards (3-8, 3.94) is tied for the National League lead in losses even though opponents are batting only .233 against him.
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