The Miami Marlins fell again on Saturday when the Philadelphia Phillies came away with a 2-1 victory.
The loss put yet another nail in the coffin as far as Wild Card hopes go for Miami. It was the fourth loss in a row for the Marlins. Ever since losing slugger Giancarlo Stanton on Thursday, the Marlins have struggled to put runs on the board. As expected, the lineup looks vastly different without Stanton in the middle of it.
Brad Hand did all he could do to keep Miami in the game but it wasn't enough in the end. The two runs that Hand allowed both came in the first inning. He's go the next five innings in shutout fashion and only allowed four hits overall on the day. It was the seventh loss of the season for Hand who has looked a lot better in his recent run in the rotation.
Hand is a candidate for the 2015 starting rotation but it will depend greatly on if the Marlins eek outside help in the offseason. Sam Dyson worked the final two innings to keep the score where it was but without any offense, it was a wasted effort.
The Marlins had eight hits but only one was for extra bases. Since Stanton was lost, most of Miami's hits have come via singles and it has been incapable of getting a big timely hit. The Marlins were 1-6 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base.
The one run Miami was a home run off the bat of Garrett Jones. The first baseman started this one in right field. It was the 15th home run of the season for Jones who could see more outfield time with Stanton out.
The Marlins will try to salvage one win in the series when they send Tom Koehler to the mound on Sunday.
