Phillips struggles from start, exposing fragile state of Marlins rotation

[Kevin Barral]

The Miami Marlins series win streak is snapped at four as they fell to the Philadelphia Phillies by a final score of 8-2, dropping to two games under .500 and three games out of the third and final National League Wild Card spot.

Tyler Phillips, a recent addition to the Marlins starting rotation, surrendered eight runs on six hits (three home runs) in four innings of work. Seven of the eight runs allowed came in the bottom of the first and second innings.

Phillips, who was a reliever to begin the season, was put into a starter's role after Robby Snelling, Eury Pérez and Janson Junk all went down with their respective injuries. Tuesday's game nearly doubled his season ERA, from 1.86 to 3.10.

The only two starters that remain from the original Marlins rotation are Sandy Alcantara and Max Meyer, who have been placed under more pressure as Alcantara is pitching on the day before a bullpen game and Meyer pitches on the day after. Both need to provide length to conserve the other arms on the staff.

Although the move to have Phillips start games hasn't been a bad one per say, the organization should've looked for an outside option once they saw Braxton Garrett's struggles and the injuries of both Eury Pérez and Janson Junk pop up. Trying to get through the next month before the All-Star game with bullpen games and continuing to stretch relievers out into starters just isn't sustainable through the course of multiple months. If the Marlins were serious about contending for a Wild Card spot, they would've gone outside the organization to bring a starter that could help with team right now. That unfortunately has not been done and doesn't seem like it will be done.

Prior to the game, the Marlins optioned William Kempner to Triple-A Jacksonville and recalled left-handed pitcher Dax Fulton from Triple-A. In two innings of work, Fulton didn't allow a hit, but did walk one and struck out two.

For a second straight night, the Marlins offense already had to climb out of a hole, and it would be even tougher with former Marlins starter Jesus Luzardo. He went seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits, two walks and struck out nine.

In the top of the seventh inning, Esteury Ruiz took Luzardo deep for a second time this season. It was his fourth home run of the season, making it 8-2. That would be the only run of the night.

Ruiz's is now slashing .238/.329/.540/.869 with four home runs, nine RBI, 12 stolen bases and a 135 wRC+, all career-best marks for the 27-year-old that was acquired over the offseason from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Sandy Alcantara will take the mound on Wednesday afternoon at 1:05 pm as the Marlins look to salvage the series.

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