Hernandez, Segura Power Phillies to 14-Inning Victory

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Thanks to shortstop Jean Segura's two-run, 14th inning home run, the Philadelphia Phillies (9-5) captured their third series win of the season — and their first at Marlins Park since August 31-Sept. 3, 2017 — with a 3-1 victory in Sunday's series finale matinee against the Miami Marlins (4-12) at Marlins Park. The game took 4 hours and 38 minutes.

Left fielder Andrew McCutchen's one-out triple in the 14th set up Segura's two-run, game-winning blast. Phillies southpaw Jose Alvarez recorded the final three outs for the save. McCutchen's triple, Segura's home run and Alvarez's save were each their first in a Phillies uniform.

Phillies pitching combined to allow just five hits and five walks, while striking out 18 batters spanning 14 innings, 193 pitches and 122 strikes. Phillies hitting combined to go 12-for-53 with five walks and 13 strikeouts, and went 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position. 

Following a loss this season, the Phillies are now 4-1 with 25 runs scored (5 runs/game); in the four wins, Phillies pitching has a combined 1.54 ERA over 41 innings. In the one loss, they allowed 13 earned runs over nine innings (13.00 ERA). In addition, manager Gabe Kapler's squad is now 1-1 in extra-innings this season, with the one loss being a 10-6 defeat against the Washington Nationals at home last Tuesday. With the win, the Phillies also improved to 3-0 during Sunday games, as well as 4-2 during day games and 7-4 against National League East opponents.

The Phillies entered Sunday having allowed 36 runs over their previous four games, while scoring only 19. They now return home for a brief three-game set against the New York Mets, before embarking on a seven-game road trip, April 18-24, opposite the Colorado Rockies and Mets.

Game Recap:

The game's first run came via a two-out, solo home run to right in the fourth by Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez, his first of the season, opposite Marlins RHP starter Jose Urena. Entering the game, Hernandez had two career home runs against Urena spanning 26 at-bats. Leading up to the home run, the Phillies had gone 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, and left a runner in scoring position in each of the first three innings.

Phillies starting pitcher Vince Velasquez went 5 2/3 innings before allowing his first hit — and first run — of the game. The right-hander had allowed three walks, while punching out as many batters, before Marlins No. 2 hitter Brian Anderson launched a solo, game-tying home run to left center. First baseman Neil Walker singled to right four pitches later, before second baseman Starlin Castro struck out looking for the inning's final out.

Pat Neshek took over in the seventh for Velasquez, who finished with just one run, two hits and three walks allowed over six innings with four strikeouts and 81 pitches. Likewise, Urena was finished after six innings, allowing one run, seven hits and no walks while punching out seven Phillies batters on 102 pitches. Both starters received no-decisions. Neshek allowed just one single on eight total pitches, lowering his ERA to 1.42.

Southpaw Adam Morgan tossed his seventh scoreless appearance in as many overall appearances in the eighth, albeit recording just one out — a strikeout of pinch hitter Rosell Herrera. Right-hander Hector Neris then entered and allowed an infield single to pinch hitter Martin Prado. Prado advanced to second on a passed ball by Andrew Knapp, but he would not score, as Neris struck out the next two batters — Anderson and Walker — swinging to end the inning.

Right-hander David Robertson — making first appearance since last Monday — tossed his fourth straight scoreless appearance in the ninth and 10th. Over two innings, Robertson allowed no hits and one walk, and struck out two while tossing 29 pitches (18 strikes) — which lowered his season ERA to 5.40 after it reached 18.00 following his first three appearances.

In the 11th, right-hander Seranthony Dominguez struck out three batters and walked one on 21 pitches and 13 strikes. Dominguez had just six strikeouts over his first five innings entering his Sunday appearance. In the 12th and 13th, right-hander Victor Arano struck out the side in back-to-back innings on just 25 pitches (19 strikes, 14 swinging). Arano has seven strikeouts against 12 batters faced overall in 2019; he was credited with the win, while Alvarez recorded the save in the 14th — the third of his career and first with the Phillies.

Game Notes:

• Urena entered the game with a 9.22 ERA and 0-3 record this season, and a career 5.97 ERA and 0-7 record in March/April. In 60 career appearances overall at Marlins Park, Urena entered with a 4.23 ERA and 10-25 record. Velasquez's winless career at Marlins Park (0-2 through five starts) continues with his no-decision on Sunday.
• Morgan this season: 7 appearances, 5 1/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 SO, 18 BF, 68 pitches.
• Filling in for Maikel Franco at the hot corner, Scott Kingery went 3-for-6 with a double, his third. Kingery has eight hits (three doubles) over his last 12 at-bats, with one run scored and just two strikeouts. He is now slashing .500/.556/.688 this season.

• Making his second start of the season, Knapp went 0-for-5 with one walk and three strikeouts. Knapp's 2019 season stats: 13 PA, 12 AB, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 7 SO, .083/.154/.083
• Following his 4-for-4, 5 RBI showing on Saturday, Marlins rookie Austin Dean went 0-for-6 with two strikeouts on Sunday.
• Herrera's five-game hitting streak came to an end, going 0-for-5 with one walk and one strikeout.

What's Next:

• Monday, April 15, 2019: vs. New York Mets, 7:05 p.m. (Jackie Robinson Day)
  • Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
  • RHP Noah Syndergaard (1-1, 4.74 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (1-0, 6.46 ERA)
  • TV: NBCSP+; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP