So it all comes down to Game 162.
With a 5-2 loss, the Phillies were swept by the Miami Marlins in Saturday’s doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park, leaving them one defeat away from franchise infamy.
The Phillies lost Game 1, 7-6, on a Ken Giles blown save (see story).
Now, after collecting losses No. 98 and 99, the Phillies must win Sunday’s season finale to avoid their first 100-loss season since 1961, when the club went 47-107. The 99 defeats are the most in franchise history since 1969. They also lost 99 games that season.
But, some bits of good news: Maikel Franco made his first start since fracturing his left wrist on Aug. 11 and went 2 for 4 with a solo home run and two RBIs. And, with one loss Saturday and the Reds’ win over the Pirates, the Phillies secured next season’s No. 1 draft pick.
The Marlins improved to 71-90 and are 9-9 against the Phillies this season.
MLB
Starting pitching report
Alec Asher (0-6) went just two innings and allowed three runs on six hits, this coming after he lasted just two-thirds of an inning his last time out.
Asher, a product of the Cole Hamels trade, had a rough go in his first seven big-league starts, pitching to a 9.31 ERA.
Asher turns 24 years old Sunday. All signs point him starting next season at Triple A Lehigh Valley.
Marlins left-hander Justin Nicolino (5-4) threw seven innings of two-run ball in 80 pitches. Of the four starters Saturday, the rookie southpaw was the only to throw a quality start.
At the plate
In just his third at-bat back, Franco hit a bee-bee to dead center field for a solo home run in the fourth, giving the Phillies their first hit.
Franco also flared an opposite-field RBI single in the sixth inning. He struck out to end Game 1 in a pinch-hit appearance.
Aside from Franco and Darnell Sweeney, who went 2 for 3, the rest of the Phillies went 4 for 26.
Marlins leftfielder Christian Yelich went 3 for 4 and a combined 8 for 9 in the doubleheader. His eight hits in eight consecutive at-bats tied a club record.
Sparkplug Dee Gordon tallied two hits and two runs. Gordon leads the National League with 58 stolen bases, one ahead of Cincinnati’s Billy Hamilton, and is tied for first in hitting at .331 with Washington’s Bryce Harper. If Gordon finishes atop the league in both categories, he’ll be the first NL player to do so in a season since Jackie Robinson in 1949, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Bullpen report
After throwing three scoreless innings in the Phillies’ win Wednesday, Justin De Fratus gave them three more in Game 2. He surrendered a run on two hits and two walks.
Nefi Ogando, Ken Roberts and Adam Loewen all threw scoreless frames.
Colton Murray allowed a run in the eighth.
Marlins closer A.J. Ramos recorded his second save of the day, giving him 32 on the season.
In the field
Franco was strong, making a pair of plays. He mishandled a bullet in the eighth inning that was ruled a single.
Health update
Ryan Howard is done for the season (see story).
Franco is not and here’s why (see story).
Up next
Both teams finish the season Sunday. Right-hander David Buchanan (2-9, 7.54 ERA) opposes Marlins left-hander Adam Conley (4-1, 3.84 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m.