Jake Diekman loaded the bases in the ninth inning and eventually surrendered the game-winning run on Thursday as the Phillies lost to the Marlins in Miami, 4-3. The loss dropped the Phillies to 20-24 on the season as the club embarks on an 11-game homestand  against the Dodgers, Rockies and Mets. Entering Friday the Phillies sit five games off the pace of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East.




by PATRICK GORDON | Managing Editor | May 23 2014, 3:00pm EDT | @Philabaseball

         Illustration created by Patrick Gordon

PHILADELPHIA -  The Phillies open an 11-game homestand on Friday night with the first game of a three-game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Following Thursday's loss in Miami the Phillies sit five games behind the Braves in the NL East.

"No one is running away with this thing yet," said general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. "But we need to improve and show what we can do."

The Phillies lost two of three to the Marlins with the bullpen coughing up Thursday's contest in the final frame.

The 20-24 nark over the first 44 games is a game off from their 2013 pace that ultimately led to an 89 loss season.

"I know we need to start doing it," starter Cole Hamels said following Thursday's loss. "There has to be some urgency, because we're supposed to win. We're all veteran guys. This team is built to win now, not later."

The Dodgers are the best road team in the NL, sporting a 16-10 mark away from Dodger Stadium. 

Saturday Debut

David Buchanan will make his major league debut on Saturday. One of the Phillies' bright spots in Spring Training, Buchanan, who went 5-1 with a 3.98 ERA in nine starts in Triple-A, takes Cliff Lee's spot in the rotation.

- The Philadelphia Baseball Review is the top baseball news source in Philadelphia, providing news coverage and analysis of the 2014 Phillies and baseball in the Philadelphia region.

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