The Philadelphia Phillies suffered a narrow defeat to the Miami Marlins, losing 6-5 in 11 innings on September 26, 2023. The game ended with significant concern for the Phillies as catcher J.T. Realmuto exited in the ninth inning due to a hand injury. Following a foul tip to his right index finger, Realmuto was diagnosed with a contusion, although initial X-rays revealed no fractures.
Manager Rob Thomson expressed relief at the negative X-ray results but acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Realmuto’s condition. “That was quite a blow he took to his finger, but the X-ray is negative,” Thomson said. “We’ll check him out tomorrow.” Realmuto’s injury adds to the list of challenges the team has faced in recent weeks, especially with Trea Turner currently on the injured list.
The game presented a rollercoaster of emotions for the Phillies, who initially appeared to be in control. Starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez delivered a stellar performance, throwing seven shutout innings while allowing only three hits and striking out six. Sanchez’s effort marked a career milestone, as he recorded his 200th strikeout of the season, bringing his career total to 500.
The Phillies took an early lead with a towering home run from Kyle Schwarber, marking his 54th of the season, followed by another homer from Otto Kemp. With Sanchez pitching effectively, the team held a comfortable three-run lead going into the latter innings. However, as the game progressed, the Marlins mounted a comeback.
In the eighth inning, a solo home run from Griffin Conine off reliever David Robertson broke the shutout. The Marlins capitalized on defensive errors, scoring an unearned run to narrow the gap. The ninth inning saw further trouble for the Phillies when closer Jhoan Duran surrendered a game-tying two-run homer to Heriberto Hernandez, marking Duran’s third blown save since joining the team.
The game was briefly halted for a 69-minute rain delay, which added to the tension. Upon resuming, the Marlins pulled ahead in the tenth inning, scoring two runs against Orion Kerkering. The Phillies fought back, bringing the tying run to the plate, but were unable to capitalize.
In the eleventh, a sacrifice fly by Xavier Edwards pushed the Marlins’ lead to 6-5. The Phillies were unable to respond in the bottom half of the inning, as they went down in order against lefty Josh Simpson.
With injuries impacting the team dynamics, the loss weighed heavily on the players. “He’s super important to us,” Sanchez remarked about Realmuto. “He’s one of the best catchers in the game. We’re basically nothing without him.”
The Phillies will need to regroup quickly as they continue to navigate a challenging schedule in September. With key players sidelined, the team’s depth will be tested as they aim to secure a playoff position.