Philadelphia Phillies third base Alec Bohm (28) hits a single against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
PHILADELPHIA — Thursday night was a much different event than the one the Philadelphia Phillies and Miami Marlins experienced the night before. There was no history to be made, there was a ton of humidity in the air at first pitch, and the Phillies weren’t on the cusp of clinching anything.
No fireworks, no power – just clean baseball in front of 36,265 baseball fans spanning the seat at Citizens Bank Park. The only thing that resembled last night on Thursday was who won. Philadelphia captured series victory No. 33 by topping Miami 1-0. That ties the franchise record for series victories in a season – with just one more to play.
While the offense was quiet, the pitching tried a role reversal for the Walker – Buehler combo with solid results. Let’s dive into Notes and Quotes from the ballpark after the final game against the Marlins in 2025.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Walker Buehler (31) throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Buehler, then Walker
Walker Buehler and Taijuan Walker were partnered together the last time they both pitched. This time, it was Buehler getting the start and Walker coming in relief.
Buehler started the game with a four-pitch walk, but got help form a strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play before finishing off the frame. He continued to throw a lot of pitches through the second, and had to work to escape a bases-loaded jam in the third.
Despite the numerous pitches leading to three walks, he induced weak contact most of the night. Only four balls put in play off the right-hander were hit over 90 miles-per-hour. Another double play in the fourth allowed him to cruise into the fifth, where he retired the side in order.
Manage Rob Thomson spoke after the game about his starter’s performance:
“I thought his change-up and his cutter was effective. First inning, had trouble finding the strike zone a little bit, but he worked out of it and that’s kind of who he is. He just keeps battling and competing, and gave us 5 shutout innings – it was good.”
Buehler, a fiery guy, went to the bullpen instead of the dugout when he was taken out of the game. Thomson said that was the pitcher’s decision. He wanted to get his pitch count up. I asked Thomson if he ever had a pitcher do that. “Not so much during the regular season,” the manager explained. “But he’s in a little different spot because he was working in the bullpen in Boston.”
The 31-year-old is hoping to solidify his spot on the Phillies postseason roster. His manager noted that he has not yet determined what his role will be – starter or reliever – but that he will lean a little on the experience Buehler has pitching in big moments. “He doesn’t scare,” Thomson stated. “And he likes the bright lights, and he performs well. so you have to take that into account.”
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker (99) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Walker came in to relieve Buehler in the sixth and gave the Phillies two solid innings. While he surrendered a hit and handed out two walks, Thomson was encouraged by what he saw with Taijuan’s three strikeouts.
“The velo was up. I think he touched 94 today… the split was good, so it kind of notches up with the velocity. I think if that velocity just a little bit goes up, he’s really effective.”
Phillies offense cold after exploding Wednesday night
Philly looked like they might be in store for another big victory, scoring with small ball in the first inning. They do so on two hits and a ground out by Alec Bohm. They would only tally two base knocks in an inning once other time the rest of the evening. They only saw two baserunners in a single inning one more time on top of the aforementioned two frames.
The offense would finish the game with seven hits and two walks, striking out 10 times on the night.
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader (2) slides home for a run against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Other Phillies notes
Jhoan Duran would have been available, but there was a one hour-one minute rain delay in the middle of the seventh. He had already begun to warm, so Topper avoided putting him at risk after a long layoff. Matt Strahm pitched the eighth with David Robertson closing things out for the save – an encouraging sign form the 40-year old, who had struggled as of late.
Max Kepler was removed from the game in the bottom of the eighth due to an illness. Thomson said postgame that he was sick prior to the game, battled through, but during the rain delay they decided to sit him down and put Nick Castellanos in the outfield to finish the game.
Two things I never saw before happened tonight:
Buehler going to the bullpen to pitch more after an outing
The grounds crew put the mats over the mound and home plate, walked off the field, then walked back on two minutes later and removed them for the shortest rain delay ever
Baseball!
Philly has a chance to set a franchise record by winning this weekend’s series against the Twins. If they sweep and the Brewers get swept, they would also claim the No. 1 seed in MLB and secure home field advantage throughout the postseason. Still a lot to play for in the final three-game set.