Sep 7, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs (21) looks on after two runs scored for the Miami Marlins on a throwing error in the seventh inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
A day after bombarding the Maimi Marlins with season highs in runs and hits, the Phillies mostly sleepwalked through a game against the team with the worst record in the National League and paid for it, losing 9-5 and having their six-game winning streak snapped.
Aaron Nola couldn't command his fastball and couldn't get out of the fifth inning, even after throwing 101 pitches. And while Nola wasn't sharp, his defense behind him wasn't good. The Phillies made two errors, should have had a third, and had other plays on which their minds seemed elsewhere but on the task at hand.
And even though the offense was still there - maybe not to the level of Friday's onslaught, but they did score five runs and had 11 hits - the game got away from them because Trea Turner continues to struggle fielding and Taijuan Walker continues to struggle as a pitcher, no matter what role he is put in by the manager.
Let's start with Nola, however, as his subpar performance on the mound was the genesis for everything that happened thereafter.
Nola had been pitching great for the Phillies. In his last four starts he had allowed four runs, total. On Saturday he allowed five (four earned) in 4 2/3 innings.
His pitch command was missing and left balls out over the zone a bit too frequently, and it led to nine hits for the Marlins, including two homers. Nola gave up a two-run homer to Connor Norby - the second batter of the game - and it didn't get much better from there.
107. 5 mph off the bat
435 feet @Marlins rookie Connor Norby goes the other way off Phillies ace Aaron Nola. pic.twitter.com/mp5ftqnGQ0
Sure, he pitched out of a couple sticky spots, and he did give up a run after a throwing error by Kody Clemens, who once again got the nod at third base in place of the injured Alec Bohm. But then Nola gave up a solo homer to Jonah Bride, and after loading the bases, gave up another run on a single by Otto Lopez, ending his day far sooner than expected.
"I was out of sync," Nola told reporters after the game. "I threw way too many pitches and when I did get over the plate a little bit, they put some good swings on them and found some holes. It really stinks when you don't finish five innings. It was just one of those weird days."
Aaron Nola postgame pic.twitter.com/Z8jaSqj2ix
The Phillies weren't out of the game when Nola left. They were only down two runs and it's not like the Marlins bullpen was chock full of Rolaids Relief Man of the Year winners.
But things got away from them in the sixth and seventh innings, mostly because of shoddy defense and then more ineffective pitching.
Tanner Banks gave up a one out single to Xavier Edwards, and the speedy shortstop managed to steal both second and third base off of him. But Banks should have gotten out of the inning. Instead, a ground ball by Jesus Sanchez one step to Turner's left was badly misplayed by the Phillies shortstop. It was scored a single, but in another era it was a clear E6. It allowed another run to score and the Marlins to extend the lead to 6-3.
Not technically an error by Trea Turner, but common sense will score it that way. pic.twitter.com/RCwDsBGaLT
In the seventh, on came Walker and on the board came more runs for the Fish.
Lopez hit a one-out homer on a center-cut sinker that didn't quite make it to 91 MPH to make it 7-3. Walker then walked Griffin Conine and gave up a double to Nick Fortes when the yips struck Turner again.
Javier Sanoja hit a ground ball right at Turner, who threw home to get Conine. It was an easy play, except Turner sailed the throw wide of catcher Garrett Stubbs. Because of the wild throw, Fortes was able to score all the way from second base. That made it 9-3 and pretty much ended the ballgame.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW JAVIER SANOJA 🤩 #MarlinsBeisbol pic.twitter.com/D8F5U2QGs2
Edwards grounded out to Turner on the next play and Turner nearly threw another one away, but Bryce Harper was able to climb the ladder to catch it for the out.
It has to make one wonder just how much longer the Phillies can afford to be patient with Turner's miscues at shortstop. It's been an issue since he got to Philadelphia last year, but it's starting to snowball on him a bit. Turner has a team-high16 errors this season and he missed 38 games due to injury. According to Fangraphs, Turner is minus-12 in defensive runs saved, which ranks tied for 114th (last) in the majors for any qualified player. It's unlikely they will make a switch now, with the postseason less than a month away, but it's certainly got to be in the back of everyone's minds.
With J.T. Realmuto on the shelf for a few days with a bruised knee, Garrett Stubbs is going to get more playing time - if he can survive it without getting killed.
Stubbs had a little league triple in his first at bat, when he executed a great bunt. The throw from pitcher Darren McCaughan went wide of first, allowing Stubbs to take off for second, and the throw from second baseman Otto Lopez beaned Stubbs in the head as he was sliding into second base and caromed into left field. Stubbs got up and took off for third, where he had another head-first slide. He then scored on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Schwarber, needing to slide head-first yet again.
Stubbs later had another bunt single that scored another run for the Phillies.
"I just try to tap it where they're not standing and then run for my life," Stubbs told reporters after the game.
It was successful. As was his lunging catch on a pop up to end the fifth inning when he collided with first baseman Bryce Harper right in front of the Phillies dugout. Stubbs was also hit on the side of the head by Sanchez's bat on a back swing. And found himself lunging to make a tag play at the plate on the wild throw by Turner.
There's a good bet he's a little battered and bruised and gets a day off on Sunday, too. But with J.T. on the shelf, who will catch? Read on!
With Realmuto considered day-to-day with a left knee contusion, the Phillies selected the contract of catcher Aramis Garcia before the game on Saturday. to make room for him on the 40-man roster, they recalled INF Rodolfo Castro and placed him on the 60-day I.L. with a right thumb UCL injury that has limited him to just 23 games in the minors this season. To make room for Garcia on the active roster, they designated RHP Nick Nelson for assignment.
The Phillies will have to make another roster move on Sunday to activate RHP Seth Johnson, who will make his major league debut when he starts against Miami. Johnson was acquired from Baltimore as part of the trade involving Gregory Soto at the deadline. It's very likely that Garcia will catch Johnson in the game.
Garcia was selected because Rafael Marchan is hurt (again) and is on the I.L. with a shoulder injury.
The Phillies also claimed RHP Jose Cuas off waivers from Toronto and optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Cuas pitched in 13 games this season for the Chicago Cubs and then the Blue Jays. He made his MLB debut with Kansas City in 2022 and has a 4.37 ERA in 132 career MLB appearances.
