Phillies host Marlins, aim for another winning run

After winning the past three series, the Philadelphia Phillies will look to start a new series on a positive note when they host the Miami Marlins on Thursday.

Brandon Marsh led the charge with four hits, including a home run, and four RBIs in a 6-2 win on the road against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.

Despite losing starter Spencer Turnbull to right shoulder soreness after three innings, six relief pitchers combined for one run and three hits.

“They pitched great across the board,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “It was a really good game and we should be close to a full bullpen tomorrow.”

Marsh has struggled offensively over the past month, but Thomson has seen some progress as of late.

Marsh came through in a big way to clinch another series.

“I think he was a little more in attack mode on the fastball,” Thomson said. “That home run to the opposite field tells you a lot about his swing.”

The Phillies will hand the ball to Zack Wheeler (9-4, 2.73 ERA).

In Wheeler’s last start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he allowed two hits and one run with eight strikeouts and no walks in seven innings. Wheeler didn’t allow a runner until the fifth inning.

“I felt a lot better than last time,” Wheeler said. “I worked on a few things between starts that slowed my rhythm and I felt a lot better today.”

Wheeler is 10-4 with a 2.79 ERA in 23 career starts against the Marlins.

The Marlins will look to bounce back after losing two of three games against the Kansas City Royals.

Miami led 1-0, but gave up five runs in the eighth inning and fell 5-1 on Wednesday. The Marlins went 1-for-3 with runners in scoring position.

“It was just one of those tough games,” Miami manager Skip Schumaker said after the club scored just five goals. “Heavy loss.”

Reliever Huascar Brazoban allowed five hits and all five runs in two-thirds of an inning.

“Braz was our guy,” Schumaker said. “He’s been really good. He’s just left some pitches in the middle of the plate against some really good hitters.”

If the Marlins have to go to Brazoban against the Phillies, Schumaker said he wouldn’t hesitate.

“It didn’t work today,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we don’t trust Braz.”

Trevor Rogers (1-8, 4.90) is scheduled to play for the Marlins.

In Rogers’ last start against the Seattle Mariners, he allowed four hits and two runs in 6 1/3 innings. He pitched in the seventh inning for the second consecutive time and showed much improved command.

“I think it was mostly about getting my secondary stuff in for strikes,” Rogers said. “They’re a very patient ballclub, so if I could just show them that I could get those pitches for strikes, it kind of opened up the zone for me to go with my stuff.”

Rogers is 1-6 with a 6.99 ERA in 10 career starts against the Phillies.

–Field level media