Velasquez beat as Phillies fall
Vince Velasquez was ready to turn a new page on Sunday, but the Marlins had other plans and took advantage of a hurler still looking to cement himself as a reliable arm on a team aiming for a postseason run.

“I have to earn my stripes back,” Velasquez said.

The Phillies dropped the series finale on Sunday to the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park, 11-6. The club now faces a tough Yankees team for four straight.

“We have to put this behind us,” said Bryce Harper. “We have to be better as an offense, a defense, pitching the ball, hitting the ball. We just have to be better.”

Brian Anderson and Miguel Rojas each hit three-run homers for the Marlins in the win. Bryce Harper hit his first dinger of the season, a three-run shot in the first.

Aside from the action on the field, the main storyline of the afternoon centered around Marlins scheduled starter José Ureña who was scratched and several other Miami players that were unavailable. The club didn't offer any information, but the Phillies shared a text more than an hour before first pitch with players reiterating the need for vigilance against COVID-19.

“You have to be safe,” manager Joe Girardi said. “You can't really have a lot of contact with other people because you put everybody in danger.”

Up next
The Phillies welcome the Yankees for a two-game set with Jake Arrieta set to start on Monday. The Yankees counter with lefty J.A. Happ.

In Allentown
Top pitching prospect Spencer Howard surrendered four hits, two runs and two walks in four innings, and he recorded nine total outs in a scrimmage. He struck out four.

Howard is a potential option to move into the Phillies rotation should the need arise. For now though, Girardi said Velasquez will make his next start this Friday against Toronto.
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Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PGordonPBR

BY PATRICK GORDON
Managing Editor
pgordon@philadelphiabaseballreview.com

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