What began as a seemingly smooth Sunday at Citizens Bank Park quickly turned into a gut-wrenching reminder that no game is over until the final out. The Philadelphia Phillies let a three-run lead slip away late, falling 7-5 in 12 innings to the Miami Marlins and ending their 4-3 homestand on a sour note.
Everything was set up for a sweep: a sunny day, an offense firing on all cylinders, birthday festivities for the Phanatic, and a strong seven-inning, two-run (one earned) performance from Jesús Luzardo. But things fell apart in the eighth when reliever Orion Kerkering surrendered a crushing three-run homer to Javier Sanoja—his first career home run—giving the Marlins their first lead of the series.
“It came down to one pitch,” Kerkering said. “They had a good plan against me.”
Kerkering’s typically sharp sweeper missed its spot and caught too much of the plate, and Sanoja made him pay. The Phillies’ bullpen has now blown six saves this season—the most in the majors—remaining a major concern despite a starting rotation that came into the game with a solid 3.59 ERA.
Phillies blow a late lead, fall to the Marlins on Easter Sunday
Manager Rob Thomson remained composed after the game, staying calm despite growing frustration from fans and the media.
“This one is done,” Thomson stated. “It’s in the past. We can’t change what happened today, so we just need to move forward and focus on what we can control.”
However, the Phillies’ failure to complete the sweep ignited strong reactions from local broadcasters. NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Michael Barkann and Ricky Bottalico did not hold back.
“If the Phillies miss out on the division title or home-field advantage, look back at this game,” Barkann said. “They were up 4-1 in the seventh and couldn’t finish the job.”
Bottalico shared a similar view, criticizing the team for failing to defeat a weaker opponent.
“This Marlins team is awful,” he said. “You need to step on their throat and not let them up.”
The loss overshadowed a solid offensive stretch. The top of the order—Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper—continued to shine, combining for 15 hits, 11 RBIs, and seven walks over the weekend. Kyle Schwarber extended his on-base streak to 28 games, while Nick Castellanos raised his average above .300.
Still, the bullpen’s struggles overshadowed these positives. Despite Thomson’s belief that “we’ve got the pieces to get it done,” the Phillies’ relief pitchers rank 28th in ERA, and their tendency to falter in late-game situations is becoming a worrying trend. As the Phillies (13-9) prepare for a crucial series against the division-leading Mets (15-7), the bullpen’s ability to hold leads will be put to the test again. Thomson remains confident, but patience may be wearing thin.
“It’s just part of the season,” he said. “I think things will balance out over time. They’re a resilient group.” Only time will tell, but after Sunday’s collapse, the margin for error is shrinking.
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