Marlins out-hit Phillies 17-13, but still lose 12-9

Trevor Richards: 4 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 HR

Jake Arrieta: 5 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 0 HR

The Fish did not give up on Saturday, that is for sure. They scored in four different innings but at the same time also gave up runs in four different innings. The ball was flying tonight, and neither starting pitcher knew how to control it. The same could be said for both bullpens. The Phills bullpen gave up four runs, while the Fish’s gave up seven runs. The Fish almost came up with the ultimate comeback, but a two-run Rhys Hoskins home run put that thought to bed.

Trevor Richards started the game off well enough. There was a walk to Bryce Harper, but besides that nothing was brewing. The trouble found its way to Richards in the second inning. After striking out J.T. Realmuto, Nick Williams crushed a ball into the center field bullpen. It was a ball that stayed up in the zone, and found too much of the plate. Richards sadly was not able to shake things off after that.

César Hernández and Maikel Franco followed things up with a single each. Jake Arrieta successfully moved each runner over with a sacrifice bunt. Two outs and everything looked like it could work out well for the Fish. That was until a ball got past Jorge Alfaro, scoring another run. The ball should of been caught easily, and instead the inning was extended. Things would just get worse for Richards from there. He walked Andrew McCutchen, and hit Jean Segura in the helmet.

The bases were loaded and Harper made the Fish pay with a two-run double. Richards made it out of the inning, but the damage was done already.

Richards was relying too much on his change up when he was under pressure. The Phills have seen him enough to know what to expect, and they waited on it. His replacement later in the game Jarlin García did not fare much better. García gave up five runs in the fifth, in what was just a rough performance. The control was not there from him last night.

To the Fish's credit they came right back the next inning and scored four runs. They did it with small ball, and consecutive hitting. Curtis Granderson had himself a night with three hits, one run, and drove in two runs. There were six different Marlins with multiple hits. Alfaro also had a two-run home run, his fifth on the season (which leads the club).

The Fish brought the offense tonight, but the pitching was not there. It is very discouraging to see one aspect of the game run well, while the other side is struggling. The Fish would have a much better record if they could just deliver on the offense and pitching at the same time.

Sunday is a new day, and Pablo López will be taking on Zach Eflin. Game time 1:05 p.m.

Marlins vs Phillies Box Score (MLB.com)

Fish Picks answer key

1. Arrieta
2. Under
3. Over
4. Alfaro
5. Phillies