Philadelphia surrendered eight unanswered runs in an 8-6 loss to the Marlins at loanDepot park, completing a three-game sweep against a Miami club that entered the series having lost 12 straight.
The defeat dropped the Phillies to 57-52 and pushed them 6 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East. Philadelphia has lost nine of 12 since the All-Star break and is now tied with Arizona in the National League wild-card standings.
Those results would be concerning at any point in the season. They are especially troubling with Monday’s trade deadline approaching and a public disagreement beginning to emerge between Bryce Harper and interim manager Don Mattingly over how much help the roster needs.
Harper was asked about the Phillies’ ability to handle strong pitching following Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss to Miami.
“I think we need some help,” Harper told reporters, according to MLB.com.
Harper said the Phillies could use both offensive and pitching reinforcements. The club’s most obvious needs include a right-handed outfielder, another dependable starting pitcher and a high-leverage reliever capable of working near the back of the bullpen.
Mattingly offered a noticeably different perspective before Wednesday’s series finale.
Speaking to reporters prior to Wednesday's contest, Mattingly acknowledged that president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski would attempt to improve the club. But he also pushed back against players publicly assessing the roster, remarking that “players like being GMs.”
Mattingly’s broader point was that the Phillies’ current players must focus on improving their own performance rather than waiting for reinforcements to solve every problem. He also suggested that publicly identifying weaknesses could be interpreted as criticism of teammates already in the clubhouse.
A few hours later, the Phillies played a game that strengthened both sides of the argument.
The offense, which had scored one run or fewer in six of its previous 11 games, broke through early. Trea Turner homered, Bryson Stott drove in two runs and the Phillies carried a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth.
It appeared to be the type of offensive response the club desperately needed after consecutive losses to begin the series.
Then everything unraveled.
Jesús Luzardo allowed Miami to score three times in the fifth, with Heriberto Hernández’s two-run homer cutting the lead to 6-3. The Marlins continued their comeback in the seventh when Otto Lopez delivered an RBI single against Luzardo.
With Orion Kerkering and José Alvarado unavailable, Mattingly turned to Seth Johnson with runners aboard. Johnson recorded the second out but walked Liam Hicks to load the bases. Xavier Edwards followed with a two-run single to left, tying the game at 6-6.
Jonathan Bowlan entered for the eighth and issued a leadoff walk before Griffin Conine launched a two-run, pinch-hit homer that completed Miami’s comeback.
After building their six-run advantage, the Phillies produced only two baserunners over the final four innings. Their offense stopped adding on, the bullpen could not preserve the lead and another winnable game slipped away.
That is why the discussion between Harper and Mattingly cannot be dismissed as ordinary deadline chatter.
Harper is correct that the roster needs help. The outfield has not produced enough offense, the rotation lacks stability at the back end and the bullpen remains short of trustworthy late-inning options.
Mattingly is also correct that one or two acquisitions will not repair every problem. Dombrowski cannot trade for better situational hitting, cleaner execution or a more consistent sense of urgency. The core players already on the roster must perform better.
The Phillies have enough established talent to hold a six-run lead against the Marlins. They should not require a deadline acquisition to finish that game.
But Wednesday also demonstrated why Dombrowski cannot stand pat. When several relievers were unavailable, Mattingly was forced to protect a shrinking lead with Johnson and Bowlan. Neither could finish the job.
Following the loss, Mattingly told reporters that it was time to “find out what we’re made of."
The Phillies will learn something about themselves over the next two months. Before that happens, the trade deadline will reveal what Dombrowski believes they are missing.
Harper wants outside help. Mattingly wants more from the players already inside the clubhouse.
After a six-run lead disappeared and a 12-game losing streak became a three-game sweep, the Phillies clearly need both.
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