Despite getting 2 hits, Phillies win behind Vinny Velo and the ‘pen

Playing with four reserves in the lineup and with a starting pitcher who basically started the season as an afterthought in the bullpen, the Phillies pulled off a 2-0 win over the troublesome Miami Marlins in South Florida on Tuesday night.

The Phillies won despite getting just two hits and none over the final five innings. 

The win was just the Phillies' second in their last seven games and only their fifth in their last 15 games against the Marlins, dating to last season.

The Phils are 24-25.

The Marlins are 23-25.

On the day Bryce Harper became the latest regular to go on the injured list, the Phillies got a big hit from one of their healthy players and another big pitching performance from an unexpected source.

Rhys Hoskins' two-run homer with two outs in the top of the fourth inning accounted for the Phillies' offense and Vince Velasquez pitched six shutout innings.

Velasquez, who had seemingly run out of chances as a starter over five inconsistent seasons, started the year as a long man in the bullpen and moved into the rotation after Matt Moore struggled and ended up in COVID-19 protocol. In six starts, Velasquez has pitched 31⅓ innings and allowed eight earned runs for a 2.30 ERA.

"I just think he believes in what he's doing," manager Joe Girardi said. "He's connected with (new pitching coach) Caleb Cotham and done the work. And he's fought for this spot. He had to start in the 'pen and work his way through and he's earned it."

Velasquez had not pitched six scoreless innings in a game since August 3, 2018. Tuesday night's performance came five days after the right-hander had to be scratched from his scheduled start because of numbness in the index finger on his pitching hand. Velasquez was cleared medically and pitched 1⅓ innings of relief on Friday to get back on track. He was not flawless Tuesday night. He allowed three hits and three walks but pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the third, retiring Jesus Aguilar on a rocket to left.

Defense has been a huge problem for this team. Velasquez was backed by good defense as catcher Andrew Knapp and centerfielder Odubel Herrera took turns throwing out Miami's Jazz Chisholm at third base and second base, respectively.

Sam Coonrod, Jose Alvarado and Hector Neris combined on nine outs to complete the shutout.

Miami starter Sandy Alcantara pitched a strong game. He held the Phillies to just two hits over eight innings. Both of the Phillies' hits came in the fourth inning. Jean Segura singled with one out and Hoskins homered with two outs.

"We got two hits, put 'em together in the same inning and got 'em in the right order," Girardi said.

Hoskins had an excellent at-bat leading up to his 10th homer of the season. He was down 0-2 in the count and fouled off three pitches from Alcantara before launching a 1-2 fastball clocked at 99.8 mph over the left field wall.

"It's A-plus stuff," Hoskins said of Alcantara's arsenal. "He made some good pitches early in the count then I fouled off a couple. Finally, I got one in the middle of the plate and you can't miss those against a guy like that."

The Phillies were without Harper, J.T. Realmuto and Didi Gregorius, all of whom are on the IL. In addition, starting leftfielder Andrew McCutchen got a day off. Matt Joyce started in right field in place of Harper, Andrew Knapp at catcher in place of Realmuto, Nick Maton at shortstop in place of Gregorius and Brad Miller in left field in place of McCutchen.

"It's been tough for us the last week and a half," Velasquez said. "A lot of us are hurt but we're fighters.

"This is a big win for us in general. Rhys stepped up with that two-run homer and I knew I had an objective — give this team a chance."

He did.

The series continues Wednesday night. Aaron Nola pitches for the Phillies. The Marlins did not immediately announce a starter.

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