Marlins vs Phillies Game 1 Recap/Game 2 Preview
The Marlins dropped game #1 against the Phillies last night 4-1.
The Marlins played their first playoff game in front of fans since 2003 last night, losing 4-1 to the Phillies. Following a magical 84-win season for the Marlins, every hit, run, and win is a massive bonus. Unfortunately, the Marlins offense was completely silent for most of the game last night.
Like last year’s postseason, the Citizens Bank Park crowd was electric. The Marlins looked very nervous in front of that intimidating crowd last night, including starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo, who threw ten pitches in the dirt. Luzardo went four innings in his first Marlins playoff start, allowing eight hits and three earned runs. Despite only four innings of work, Luzardo faced 19 batters and threw 90 pitches across those four innings. With a little bit of luck and some good pitches with runners on base, Luzardo stranded Schwarber and Turner in scoring position in the first inning. After the Phillies scored a run in the third and two runs in the fourth, the Marlins went to their bullpen and got scoreless innings from Puk, Soriano, and Brazoban.
Even with the success from the middle relievers last night, the Marlins weren’t able to get back in this game after going down 3-0 early due to Zack Wheeler’s dominance. Wheeler went 6.2 innings and allowed just one run (RBI infield single from Bryan De La Cruz). Wheeler attacked the strike zone, throwing 67 of 100 pitches for strikes. The only good contact made against Wheeler was Josh Bell’s 7th-inning double.
The Marlins brought in lefty Steven Okert to pitch the bottom of the 8th inning, with the Marlins trailing by two runs. He allowed Bryce Harper to score on a Nick Castellanos RBI double, giving the Phillies a three-run lead with the Marlins down to their final three outs. After the game, Skip Schumaker said that he would’ve gone with Andrew Nardi if the Marlins were down by one or the game was tied.
Braxton Garrett will go opposite Aaron Nola tonight in a win-or-go-home game for the Marlins. Go Marlins!