Rotation carousel continues as debuting Seth Johnson struggles against Marlins

Final Score: Marlins 10, Phillies 1

Finding a No. 5 starter is a temporary problem, but one the Phillies must solve soon.

Playoff teams only need three — maybe four — really good starters to be a threat in October. But to get there, teams can’t afford to waive a white flag every fifth day.

The Phillies, barring an incredible collapse, will make the postseason for a third straight year. They have a pretty good hold on the division. What’s not a given, however, is a bye to the division round and it’s why the Phillies need a better solution for the last spot in the rotation.

In his major league debut, Seth Johnson, acquired alongside Moisés Chace from Baltimore in exchange for Gregory Soto, allowed nine earned runs in only 2 1/3 innings pitched in a 10-1 loss to the Miami Marlins. Johnson, who allowed four earned runs combined in six minor league starts since the trade, struggled to keep the ball out of the middle of the plate and fell behind too many hitters.

Next up in the Phillies’ rotation carousel is likely Kolby Allard. He is eligible to be recalled from Lehigh Valley on Sept. 10. He could start as early as Tuesday’s game against the Rays. The Phillies could use that day to give both Ranger Suárez and Zack Wheeler one and two extra days of rest respectively. It also means Wheeler would pitch the first game against the Mets on Friday and the last game against the Brewers in Milwaukee.

Or the Phillies could stay in order and start Allard on Sept. 14 against the Mets.

As Adam Aaronson of Philly Voice pointed out, Phillies starters in the No. 5 spot have combined to allow 21 earned runs since Allard’s demotion on Aug. 26. In four big league outings this season, Allard has a 3.50 ERA.

At the plate, the Phillies struggled against Marlins starter Edward Cabrera. Give Cabrera credit. That was probably the best he has ever looked against the Phillies. After allowing six earned runs against the Phillies on Aug. 14, Cabrera struck out six and allowed only three hits through seven. He had a no-hitter going through five. A Brandon Marsh single in the sixth broke it up.

The Phillies are 85-58.

Highlights

• Johnson gave up a pair of runs in the first to fellow former Orioles farmhand Connor Norby on a two-run home run to left center. Johnson walked two and threw 27 pitches in the first. He allowed a sacrifice fly in the second inning to make it 3-0.

• Johnson gave up five more runs in the third on five hits, including a two-run double from Nick Fortes. He was lifted from the game after eight runs came across to score.

• With Max Lazar on the mound, Norby hit his second two-run home run of the game.

• Bryce Harper was inches away from snapping his now 26-game homerless streak, but the ball hit off the right-center field wall for a double in the seventh. He later drove in a run on a single to break up the shutout in the ninth.

Notes

• Johnson is the first Phillies pitcher since David Buchanan on Aug. 11, 2015 to allow at least nine earned runs in a start lasting less than 2 1/3 innings.

• Garrett Stubbs made his fourth appearance on the mound in the eighth. He threw his second scoreless frame of the season.

Ticket IQ Next Game

• Monday, September 9 vs. Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park
• 6:40 p.m. EST
• NBC Sports Philadelphia
• 94 WIP

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