Edward Cabrera scratched before Friday’s start as Phillies rout Marlins

About an hour and a half before Friday’s game against the Phillies, Marlins’ manager Skip Schumaker suddenly learned his scheduled starter, Edward Cabrera, couldn’t pitch.

Cabrera had just called the Marlins’ trainer to let him know he was headed to the hospital because of migraine-like symptoms. That started a wild night that ended with a staggering 16-2 loss at loanDepot park — the Marlins’ second-largest margin of defeat this season.

Schumaker spent the entire game doing damage control following Edwards’ unavailability — the right-hander was later released from the hospital — as he tried to figure out who he could send out to the mound, and for how long. Austin Kitchen wound up starting and threw two innings.

Schumaker eventually turned to infielder David Hensley to pitch the final two innings. Making his first career appearance on the mound, Hensley tossed a scoreless eighth and allowed two runs on two hits in the ninth.

“We had to adjust and obviously go to the bullpen, and unfortunately that puts them in a really tough position, to find out that late [about Edwards’ status],” Schumaker said. “They did the best they could. Unfortunately, it didn’t go our way. We got our ass kicked.”

Schumaker said he chose to start Kitchen because, of the options he had, the lefty was available to throw the most pitches. Kitchen wound up throwing 55, 38 of them for strikes. Unfortunately for the Marlins, the Phillies’ potent lineup scored seven runs (six earned) against Kitchen on nine hits. The first four Phillies batters he faced in the second inning smacked two doubles, a two-run home run, and a single.

“He had a lot of balls on the ground. He threw strikes, did his job, just got through,” Schumaker said.

Anthony Veneziano, making his second appearance for the Marlins since being claimed off waivers, replaced Kitchen and was “outstanding.” Veneziano allowed only two hits in two scoreless innings.

The Marlins got on the board in the fourth as Otto Lopez doubled to score Connor Norby, but the Phillies’ offensive onslaught continued.

The visitors, who started the night tied with the Dodgers for the best record (84-56) in the National League, tallied three runs in the fifth against Anthony Maldonado — Johan Rojas and Trea Turner each had an RBI double, and Bryce Harper singled to score Turner — and tacked on four more off Xzavion Curry in the sixth for a stunning 14-1 lead with 19 hits.

Mike Baumann pitched one scoreless inning before Hensley came in.

“Honestly, it was whoever could throw tonight,” Schumaker said. “Whoever had the most pitches available was going to pitch no matter what.

“I’m pretty sure we’re going to need some fresh arms,” Schumaker added. “That’s just where we’re at. Depending on what [roster] moves are going to be made. Without sugarcoating it, we’re in trouble if we don’t make a couple of moves. It’s just the reality of it, unfortunately.”

Schumaker said this is the first time during his tenure managing the Marlins that Cabrera has had migraine-like symptoms. Cabrera underwent tests at the hospital and “everything checked out,” Schumaker said.

The Marlins’ worst loss this season was 20-4 to the Athletics in Oakland May 4. They fell 14-2 to the Cubs at home Aug. 24.

THIS AND THAT

▪ After Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues threw out a ceremonial first pitch Friday, Marlins’ legend Jeff Conine threw one to his son, Marlins’ rookie Griffin Conine. “It will be a cool full-circle moment,” Griffin Conine said beforehand. “I’m just hoping he gives me a strike and I don’t have to drop and block.”

Sure enough, Mr. Marlin threw a strike. Presented with the idea Wednesday, Griffin Conine said he immediately wanted to do it. Seeing Rockies great Matt Holiday throw a first pitch to his son, Orioles’ second baseman Jackson Holliday, last Saturday was “awesome,” he said.

▪ Pitchers Braxton Garrett and Ryan Weathers could make a start before the season ends, Schumaker said. Both made rehab starts with Single-A Jupiter this week. Schumaker said of Garrett’s three scoreless innings Thursday: “Braxton was really good. He came out of it feeling healthy.”