Jake Burger hit a home run for the fourth game in a row, and Valente Bellozo allowed four hits in seven innings, leading the Miami Marlins to a 5-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.
The Phillies, who had the best record in baseball earlier in the season, have struggled badly since June, causing worries about their chances for a World Series title.
The Phillies started the season strong, but they have lost 16 of their last 23 games since the All-Star break, falling from their top spot. They were 24-31 since June 9 and no longer lead the National League. However, they still had a seven-game lead over Atlanta in the NL East before Tuesday’s game.
Given their recent losses, it’s uncertain if the Phillies can maintain that lead.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson, who seldom holds team meetings, may soon address the team.
“Is it time to do it? It depends on a lot of things,” Thomson said. “It depends on the attitude and where I think the guys’ minds are at. I think they’re very solid right now. Frustrated because they know we’re better than that.”
The Phillies’ performance has dropped since the All-Star break: their batting average fell from .259 in the first half to .237 after, and their ERA increased from 3.41 to 5.07. They had a plus-110 run differential in the first half but are now minus-25.
With the team’s sluggers struggling, Thomson suggested it might be time to change things up. “We’re getting close,” Thomson said.
Taijuan Walker (3-4) gave up three runs and walked three in four innings, his first start since June 21. Walker, returning from right index finger inflammation, wasn’t expected to pitch deep into the game.
He had trouble with control, throwing 34 pitches in the first inning, including walks to Burger and Jesús Sánchez.
Walker then threw a strike, which drew a sarcastic cheer from the crowd, before Bride hit an RBI single. Otto Lopez added another run with a single, causing a flood of boos from the fans.
In the past two seasons, Phillies fans had moved away from their old reputation for being tough and had made Citizens Bank Park one of the best home fields in baseball. But against the Marlins, the 42,846 frustrated fans showed their displeasure.
They booed Walker and every missed opportunity against Bellozo (2-1) and two relievers, who allowed only four hits.
They booed when Burger hit his 23rd home run of the season, and his 13th since the All-Star break, in the third inning.
They booed in the fourth when Bellozo got Realmuto out with a shallow fly ball, leaving runners stranded on second and third base.
The boos grew louder in the seventh when Realmuto’s wild throw to third let Xavier Edwards score, and they continued when Sánchez hit a home run in the ninth to make it 5-0.
“Our fans know that we’re better than that,” Thomson said. “We have very knowledgeable fans and they let you know when you’re not playing well.” Bellozo struck out four and walked one.
Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, and Alec Bohm, the top four hitters in the lineup, went 1 for 15.
“It’s not worry. Frustration,” Schwarber said. “I think worry is the wrong kind of word. If you’re worried about where you’re at, it’s not a good thing to be.”
The Phillies hoped Walker, who had a 5.60 ERA over his first 10 starts, would be sharp enough to help them use a six-man rotation down the stretch. Instead, they got another reason to doubt in a disappointing second half.
