Marlins lose 5-1, continue their losing streak

The Fish have now lost five games in a row, after another disappointing game against the Phills. Trevor Richards had a great start, just like Pablo Lopéz had yesterday. But the Marlins as a whole could not bring it together.

Trevor Richards: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K.

Vince Velasquez: 6.1 IP, 2 H, 1BB, 7 K.

The starting pitching was on point for each team. Richards continued his streak of good starts and had a lot of bats missing. The off-speed pitch was one that he utilized time and time again to strike out batters. He was comfortable on the mound and did not get into trouble too much.

The one thing that could be improved was how long he went. Pitching only five innings left Miami in a tough spot. The relievers that were brought in to keep the ball game close could not handle their own. There was a wild pitch in the seventh inning that gave the Phills a run, that hurt. Then in the eighth inning the Phills tacked on three more runs. The Marlins needed a few more innings from Richards, but that should come with time.

Vince Velasquez on the other side of the mound made the Fish look soft. He only gave up two hits in his six and one inning of work. The batters looked listless and what was worse was how close the game was the whole time.

The Marlins threatened in the top of the seventh inning, when Brian Anderson hit a lead off double. J.T. Realmuto then grounded out on a close play that had to be reviewed. Next up was Justin Bour who got hit by a pitch. The Fish, with two men on and only one out, could not get anything done. The next two batters went down quietly.

The Fish did score one run in the eighth, to make things interesting. They finally got their small ball together for that inning. Magneuris Sierra, Starlin Castro and Anderson all got singles. Anderson’s single was the one that brought Sierra home. Sadly for the Fish they only scored one run that inning. The next half inning was the three-run eighth for Philly and that pretty much ended things.

Courtesy of Fangraphs

Kingfish: Vince Velasquez (.282 WPA).

Flounder: J.T. Realmuto (-.198).

Play of the game: Fish getting shut down.

Attendace: 33,737

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Matchup Summary:

The Marlins yesterday lost the first game of their four game series against the Phills. The Phills hit a walk off three-run home run against Kyle Barraclough. This was his third blown save in a row. While many hoped he could be shipped out at the tread deadline, no one took the bait. Now the Fish must hope for the best, a quick recovery is needed from Barraclough.

The Fish will have Trevor Richards on the mound for this one. Richards has been on a hot streak as of late. If the Fish can support him with a few runs they should be able to win this one.

Vince Velasquez will be on the mound for the Phills. He did not start off the year on the right foot, but he has been gradually getting better for sometime now. The Fish will need to jump on him quick and make him work hard. Getting the pitch count up quickly will be important in this one. Velasquez struggles when deeper into counts, so the Fish will need to be smart at the plate.

Thread Question:

How many more rough innings before Kyle Barraclough gets transitioned out of the closer role?