MLB Scores: Phillies 4 Marlins 3

Miami has lost five straight games and 12 of their last 15. In that span, the team has scored five or more runs in only two games, and four or more runs in only four. Their record has dipped below .500 for the first time since April 30. They went from holding the second Wild Card spot to nearly playing themselves out of contention.

And despite a late-game push, the woes continued for the Fish in a 4-3 loss Tuesday night.

For a game that was actually fairly close throughout, it never felt like the Marlins had much of a chance through the first seven innings. Phillies starter Adam Morgan (2-9) made quick work of Miami in his six innings. The young lefty, who came into the night with a 6.21 ERA, held the Marlins to only five hits and one earned run.

Morgan’s counterpart was José Ureña (3-6), who remained inconsistent after giving up four runs on seven hits over five innings. Ureña had given up a total of four runs over his last three quality starts, but came out of the gate rough in this one with a two-run, 32-pitch first inning.

Miami’s bullpen kept the game close for a late-game push. Nick Wittgren, Dustin McGowan, A.J. Ramos and Fernando Rodney combined for four scoreless innings.

In the bottom of the eighth, Ichiro brought some excitement to the muted Marlins’ crowd. His two-run shot to right field off of red-hot Hector Neris was his first home run of the season, and first career pinch-hit homer.

Unfortunately, Ichiro couldn’t muster the same magic in the ninth, when he flied out to left before Dee Gordon struck out to end the game.

There were some positive takeaways for the ailing and slumping Marlins however. Giancarlo Stanton and Justin Bour both returned in pinch-hitting capacities, and both reached base on a single and walk respectively.

Maybe their return to the line up can help cure this seemingly never-ending slump.

Source: FanGraphs

Player of the game: Adam Morgan (.228 WPA)

Goat of the game: Dee Gordon (-.310)

Play of the game: Ichiro eighth-inning homer (.152)