Marlins failure to turn double play fuels Phillies’ comeback as teams split four-game series

On paper a matchup between the Marlins’ Yonny Chironos, making his third career start, and the Phillies’ left-hander Ranger Suarez the National League ERA leader, would seem something best to avoid.

But on this day, while Chirinos struggled with his command and twice left the bases loaded while keeping the game close, the Marlins pretty much had their way with Suarez. They banged out five extra-base hits, including Bryan De La Cruz’ 15th homer while surging to a four-run lead by the fifth inning.

Unfortunately, Skip Schumaker’s usually reliable bullpen couldn’t hold it. Tim Anderson’s error on a potential double play cost them two runs in the fifth, before Anthony Bender served up Trea Turner’s two-run seventh-inning single that won it for the NL East-leading Phillies, 7-6. That earned them a split in this hotly contested series, despite committing a season’s high five errors.

In the process it put a damper on the Marlins’ weekend and what would have been an improbable 3-1 series win, considering they trailed all four games.

It also ran their record to 4-27 in games started by lefties, while preventing them from winning a road trip in multiple games for the first time this season. They did take two of three in Detroit in mid-May.

“It’s good to get a couple of wins but tough to end on a sour note,” said Schumaker, who went to four relievers after lifting Chirinos in the fifth in what was then a 6-3 game. “We had a pretty good lead obviously going to our bullpen there.

“But there’s that human element and guys make errors. I know because I made my share of them. It was unfortunate timing. But we’ll take the two wins, reset and enjoy the off day.”

He just hopes they can take some solace from the way they lit into Suarez, who saw his ERA climb from 1.83 to 2.27 after surrendering six earned runs.

“We went the other way and got the ball in the air a lot better than we did against [Cristopher] Sanchez,” explained Schumaker, referring to the Phils’ left-hander who pitched a three-hit shutout Friday. “Against Sanchez we were beating it into the ground.

“This shows we’re not only capable of hitting left-handers but one of the best pitchers in the big leagues. That should get through to the guys who’ve been struggling against left-handers. Give them some confidence.”

Despite the outrageous disparity in their records the 30-54 Marlins say they’re not intimidated facing the now 55-29 Phillies. “We feel we always play these guys well,” said catcher Nick Fortes, whose double was the key to Saturday’s 3-2 win. “We have to play really clean defense and get big hits.

“We knew coming into the series we’d be facing some really good arms.”

The Marlins managed to more than hold their own against the gauntlet of Zach Wheeler, Sanchez and Aaron Nola, coming from behind late to win a pair. While they didn’t bemoan the fact Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber missed the last three games due to injuries, they feel good about how the weekend went.

“Philly they’re one of the best if not best teams in the major leagues, not only the National League,” Schumaker said. “With their rotation they’re as good as anybody, because their starters feel they can go seven every game and they have a fresh bullpen with them going so long.

“We caught a little bit of a break with their two starters out. I’m OK with them sitting out a few games but for baseball you hate to see that.

“For us to take the two games in the series here is great for our confidence.”

The trick now is building on it.

COMING UP

After their first day off since June 20, the Marlins return home to take on the Red Sox on Tuesday. Right-hander Valente Bellozo, who pitched five shutout innings June 26 in Kansas City, will be on the hill. Lefty Trevor Rogers and rookie right-hander Kyle Tyler will go Wednesday and Thursday, before the White Sox come to town next weekend… After going 1-for-5 with an RBI single, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is now hitting .362 on Sundays with four homers and 19 RBI. … The Marlins got help from the bottom of the order with Dane Myers ripping two doubles and knocking in a run, while Emmanuel Rivera had a single, double and two RBI.