Phillies Swept By Marlins In Final Double Header Of The Season

GAME 1 RECAP: Marlins Stymie Phillies 7-6

The Marlins scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat the Phillies in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park, 7-6. Phillies closer Ken Giles blew just his second save in 17 opportunities since replacing Jonathan Papelbon in that role in late July. Giles allowed a one-out single to Christian Yelich, who scored on a triple from Martin Prado to tie the game. Prado scored the go-ahead run on Marcell Ozuna's single to left field. "We're just playing hard until the end," Yelich said after his team improved to 70-90. The Phillies dropped to 62-98. They are trying to avoid 100 losses for the first time since 1961, but they would also like to secure the No. 1 selection in the 2016 MLB Draft. They entered the game with a half-game lead over the Reds for that coveted pick. "We had them where we wanted them," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "We couldn't put it away."

GAME 2 RECAP: Marlins Beat Phillies 5-2

Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich stole the show Saturday night in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. He played a part in three of the Marlins' runs in a 5-2 victory. He singled and scored in the first, doubled to score Dee Gordon in the second and singled and scored in the fifth. He had eight hits in the doubleheader sweep. "We're fighting 'til the end, battling 'til the end," Yelich said. "I'm glad to see we're playing so well at the end of the year. Hopefully, we can come in here tomorrow and end it on a good note." The Marlins will end the year having won eight of their final 10 series. The news wasn't completely bad for the Phillies, who must win Sunday to avoid their first 100-loss season since 1961. They locked up the first pick in the 2016 Draft by clinching the worst record in baseball. The Phillies will have the first overall pick for the second time in franchise history and the first time since 1998, when they selected Pat Burrell. "We're trying to win every game," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "Nobody wants to lose 100 games. Nobody wants to lose 90 games -- 99 or 100 is just as bad. We've heard about [the top pick in the Draft] for a couple weeks now. We're very aware of it. That's one positive that comes out of it. We're guaranteed getting the guy and apparently he's a pretty good pitcher. It's been on our minds." Mackanin did not say who that pitcher might be, but he might be Florida pitcher A.J. Puk, who scouts think could move quickly through the Minor Leagues and help a team as early as 2017. IMG Academy (Lakeland, Fla.) left-hander Jason Groome and St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.) right-hander Riley Pint could be the top two high school arms in next year's Draft. Puk and Oklahoma right-hander Alec Hansen could be the top two college arms.

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• Chase d'Arnaud tripled and scored the Phils' go-ahead run in the sixth inning when Freddy Galvis hit a sacrifice fly to left field.
• Right-hander Aaron Harang made his final start of the season and quite possibly for the Phillies, allowing eight hits, four runs, one walk and striking out two in 5 2/3 innings. Harang (6-15, 4.86 ERA in 29 starts) will become a free agent after the season. He is not expected to return, although the Phillies are expected to replace him with another veteran starter in the offseason. "I'm not sure yet," Harang said about pitching again next season. "I've got to go home and think about it with my wife and kids and really decide what I want to do from here."
• Harang earned a no-decision, which means the Phillies stand the chance of becoming the first in baseball since 1915 not to have a single pitcher finish the season with seven or more wins. Harang, Cole Hamels, Aaron Nola and Giles each have six wins this season. Giles has a chance to earn a win in the season's final two games.
• Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco started his first game since Aug. 11, when he was hit by a pitch and broke his left wrist. He ripped a solo home run to center field in the fourth inning and singled to score a run in the sixth inning. Franco's homer was his 14th of the season. "I felt good," Franco said. "Just coming into today, be ready for everything. My wrist is really good, 100 percent."
• Phillies rookie Alec Asher will hope for better next season. He allowed six hits and three runs in two innings in his seventh and final start of 2015. He finished 0-6 with a 9.31 ERA, becoming the first pitcher to go winless in his first seven starts with the Phillies since Paul Abbott in 2004. "We ran Asher out there and he struggled again," Mackanin said. "He's got work to do."
• "He looked at me and he said, 'One more, Papi.'" -- Phillies right fielder Jeff Francoeur, who promised Franco he would buy him a suit if he hit 15 home runs this season. Franco enters Sunday's season finale with 14.

NEXT GAME:

The Phillies finish their season Sunday against the Marlins. Right-hander David Buchanan (2-9, 7.54 ERA) gets the final start. He hopes to carry some positive momentum into the offseason. He has allowed four earned runs in 15 2/3 innings in his last three starts. In the season finale on Sunday, the Marlins are handing the ball to rookie left-hander Adam Conley (4-1, 3.84) in the 3:05 p.m. ET affair. In five September starts, Conley was 2-0 (2.54 ERA) with 30 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings.

PHILS PHACTS:

Impactful Return – Maikel Franco badly wanted to play again this season, and he proved Saturday he was more than ready. He pinch-hit in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park, a 7-6 loss. He started Game 2, hitting a home run in the fourth inning and singling to score a run in the sixth inning in a 5-2 loss. They were Franco's first games since Aug. 11, when he got hit by a pitch and broke his left wrist in Arizona. "Oh, yeah," Franco said, when asked if his wrist feels fine. Some Phillies fans have wondered if there could be a risk to playing Franco, but the Phillies believe there is none. They said Franco's wrist has healed and he played five rehab games in the past week in Clearwater, Fla. He would have been playing this weekend anyway, either in Philadelphia or Clearwater. "My view on it is, why not play him?" Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "I think he's going to be an outstanding middle-of-the-lineup third baseman for us, but he's not yet a star and he's getting paid and I'm going to play him because he's healthy. "Just like winter ball, people have made the comment, why would he want to play winter ball? He's still learning. He's not an established Major Leaguer. He's on his way to becoming one, but he's not yet. Every chance you get to play you can learn something and improve, and he needs to do that. What is he, 22? It's good for them to play." Franco's homer was his 14th of the season, which makes things interesting going into Sunday's season finale. Not only are the Phillies trying to avoid their first 100-loss season since 1961, but Franco needs one more homer to win a new suit from Phillies right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Frenchy told Franco he would buy him a suit if he hits 15 homers. "One more, Papi," Franco told Francoeur after he hit his homer to center field, a projected 411 feet, according to Statcast™. "Yes, one more," Franco told reporters. "I will try the best I can. I will try hard tomorrow."

Uncertain Future – The Phillies signed Aaron Harang to a one-year, $5 million contract in January because they needed a veteran pitcher to stabilize the rotation. Harang finished his season on Saturday evening in a 7-6 loss to the Marlins in Game 1 of a doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park. He allowed eight hits, four runs, one walk and one home run in 5 2/3 innings to finish his season 6-15 with a 4.86 ERA. Harang, 37, will become a free agent after the season. He does not know if he will try to pitch next year. "I'm not sure yet," he said. "I've got to go home and think about it with my wife and kids and really decide what I want to do from here. I feel like I can go out there and pitch and be competitive and give my team a chance to win, but I've got to figure some things out." Harang seemed unlikely to rejoin the Phillies anyway, even if he planned to continue his career. Regardless, the Phillies are expected to sign at least one, perhaps two, free-agent veteran starters in the offseason. Pitchers like Doug Fister, J.A. Happ and Bartolo Colon seem to make the most sense for the Phillies, who are not expected to get involved with the top-tier free agents this offseason as they continue the rebuilding process. Rookies Aaron Nola and Jerad Eickhoff are expected to be heavy favorites to make the 2016 rotation coming out of Spring Training. Adam Morgan, David Buchanan, Alec Asher and others are expected to fight for a job or two, too. Harang said he likes the young talent he sees in Philadelphia. "I'm excited for the future of the Phillies," Harang said. "Definitely in Nola and Eickhoff you have two young guys that could potentially be front-of-the-rotation-type guys. They have the demeanor and the drive to be like that. Everybody talks about front-line guys got to have the best stuff. Not necessarily. It's about the determination and the commitment when they're out there. You can tell by their attitude, they're bulldogs when they're out there. "They've got a good idea of what they're doing out there. It's fun to watch. They've had their ups and downs, but they're very willing to listen. They ask a lot of questions. I talk to them a lot when we're on the bench or in the outfield. I'll go out and watch their bullpens and watch video of them. If I see something I'll talk to Mac [pitching coach Bob McClure] about it." Harang didn't have the season he wanted with the Phillies, but perhaps he left them with something better -- solid advice that could help the Phillies' young starters take the next step forward in 2016.

Done For The Season – For weeks, the Phillies have said Ryan Howard could play again before the end of the season. Phillies manager Pete Mackanin finally said Saturday that is not going to happen. "I don't think I'll play him the rest of the year," Mackanin said before Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. "I don't see the point of that." Howard has not played since Sept. 14 because of a bruised left knee. He has been slow to recover and has not seen live pitching since he suffered the injury, unlike teammate Maikel Franco, who is scheduled to play Game 2 following a lengthy absence with a broken left wrist. Franco had played five games recently in Clearwater, Fla. If Howard's season is finished, one has to wonder if it could be the end of his Phillies career. Howard hit .229 with 29 doubles, one triple, 23 home runs, 77 RBIs and a .720 OPS in 129 games. He posted an .802 OPS against right-handed pitchers, which ranked 54th out of 144 qualified hitters in baseball. But he posted a .418 OPS against left-handers, which is the ninth-lowest mark in baseball in the past 20 seasons (minimum 100 plate appearances against lefties). Howard is set to make $25 million in salary next season, plus a $10 million buyout on a 2017 club option. The Phillies have tried hard to trade Howard since last offseason, telling teams they would pay almost the entirety of his contract. But Howard's struggles against lefties, plus his defensive and baserunning issues, have made American League teams reluctant to acquire him. If Howard and Darin Ruf return next season, it seems very likely Mackanin uses a straight platoon at first with Howard starting only against right-handers and Ruf starting mostly against left-handers, although he has shown recently he can hit right-handed pitching when provided the opportunity. Ruf's 1.122 OPS against left-handers is the best in baseball (minimum 100 plate appearances against lefties).

Staff Changes? – Mackanin could announce any possible coaching staff changes following Sunday's game. Hitting coach Steve Henderson and pitching coach Bob McClure are expected to return. Bench coach Larry Bowa could return, if he chooses to continue his coaching career. He said recently he has not decided what he wants to do. Phillies first-base coach Juan Samuel said recently he is open to returning, although he also said he does not want to finish his career as a first-base coach. He also is interested in pursuing a managerial career.

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies have returned to their lackluster ways and regained their grip on last place in the NL East with a record of 62-99. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and bipolar performances this season, this has ended up being one of the worst seasons in franchise history! All time, the Phillies are 12-12-1 on this day.

Marlins Brought Hurricane With Them From Florida

GAME RECAP: Game Postponed Due To Rain…

The Phillies will play a double header on Saturday before the season finale on Sunday… can they finish with the worst record in baseball this season? Can they reach the 100 loss milestone? This final series will provide the answers to both of those questions.

NEXT GAME:

The Phillies open their final series of the season tomorrow against the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies will play a double header with Aaron Harang taking the mound in game 1 and rookie Alec Asher finishing the day in game 2. This will likely be Harang’s final start in a Phillies uniform while Asher will look to make a final impression on the team in the hope of being on the opening day roster in 2016.

PHILS PHACTS:

Wanting To Return - Carlos Ruiz has slowly watched the Phillies rebuild, piece by piece. Injuries took the careers of teammates like Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee earlier than expected. Trades sent Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon, Ben Revere, Jake Diekman, Marlon Byrd and Antonio Bastardo away. Only Ruiz and Ryan Howard remain from the Phillies' 2008 World Series championship team. "It's been tough," Ruiz said Thursday at Citizens Bank Park. "Being around teammates like Chase and Jimmy, we spent a lot of time together and we made some good memories. I feel like we're a family. It's tough to see them walk away and go to different teams. But at the same time baseball continues." But will the Phillies continue with Ruiz? It is likely, despite the fact he turns 37 in January and is finishing the toughest season of his career, posting a .585 OPS in 315 appearances. Ruiz will make $8.5 million next season and he has value as a backup, although Ruiz said he still views himself as a starter, despite the fact Cameron Rupp has started 54 of the team's last 89 games. "I believe I am still a No. 1," Ruiz said. "But at the same time they gave a chance to Rupp and I'm happy that he played well and did a great job." Ruiz has been one of the most respected and well-liked players in the Phillies' clubhouse for years. If he returns, he can continue to mentor the team's young pitchers and catching prospects Jorge Alfaro and Andrew Knapp, who could be in big league camp in Spring Training. "I'm real happy here," Ruiz said. "I'm going to go home, rest a little bit and come back to work. I believe in myself. I feel great. I don't make excuses, but there were days when I felt great and days when I didn't feel good. That's tough." Ruiz cited the arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder last October. He said the shoulder felt weak at times. "I don't know if I'm going to be here or somewhere else, but hopefully it's here," Ruiz said. "I'm disappointed with the year I had, and I'd like to turn it around. I'm going to do everything I can. We'll see what happens next year. I think I'll feel better."

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies have returned to their lackluster ways and regained their grip on last place in the NL East with a record of 62-97. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and bipolar performances this season, this could still end up being the worst team in franchise history… at least that is something to hope for this year! All time, the Phillies are 23-20-2 on this day.

Day Or Night, Phillies Can’t Find A Way To Win

GAME 1 RECAP: Cubs Beat Phillies 5-1

Jake Arrieta won his Major League-leading 19th game Friday night and helped the Cubs keep pace in their push for the playoffs with a 5-1 win over the Phillies in the first game of a doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park. Austin Jackson and Kris Bryant hit consecutive RBI doubles in the fifth, Addison Russell added a two-run double in the sixth and Starlin Castro belted a solo homer in the seventh to back Arrieta, now 19-6. The right-hander did serve up Aaron Altherr's solo homer, but still notched his 16th straight quality start, the most by a Cubs pitcher since Lon Warneke posted 17 in a row in 1933. Arrieta's ERA dropped to 1.99 for the season. He's not looking at individual statistics at this point, although Cy Young voters should be. "It doesn't matter to me," Arrieta said of his personal numbers. "After the season is over, you look at your line and you can appreciate it then. It's not even where my mind's at. Those are things people strive for. They set their sights high and try to reach the milestones. Obviously, I'll get 200 innings, I got 200 strikeouts, and that's great. I just want to be quality for the team and finish good enough." The Phillies were the only team to beat Arrieta in his last 16 starts, doing so on July 25 at Wrigley Field when Cole Hamels threw a no-hitter. The Cubs' ace now has won eight consecutive starts. "Arrieta is a potential Cy Young candidate," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "He pitched very well." The Cubs began the day with a firm hold on the second National League Wild Card spot, trailing the Pirates by 2 1/2 games for the first spot. The Giants were third in the Wild Card standings, nine games back.

GAME 2 RECAP: Cubs Beat Phillies 7-3

Rookie Kyle Schwarber needed just two pitches to hit two home runs, both monster shots, and Kris Bryant drove in three runs, including two on his 24th homer, to power the Cubs to a 7-3 victory Friday and complete a sweep of a doubleheader against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Bryant's blast, a two-run shot in the fifth, and his RBI single in the seventh raised his season RBI total to 90, a Cubs rookie record and tops on the team. He broke the mark in the first game with an RBI double. Bryant now is tied with the Dodgers' Joc Pederson for the most homers among Major League rookies. Schwarber, meanwhile, connected on Nos. 14 and 15, the latter of which included a face plant rounding first while circling the bases. The Cubs' three home runs all came off the Phillies' Alec Asher, who remains winless in three starts. Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks benefited from the power and notched his first win since Aug. 8. "Schwarber is a monster, boy," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "He's got a real strong, quick swing. You can't leave the ball out over the plate to him." Chicago won the first game, 5-1, behind Jake Arrieta, who picked up his Major League-leading 19th win. With the sweep, the Cubs moved within two games of the Pirates for the top National League Wild Card spot. "The consensus here is everybody's thinking about October," Hendricks said. "We're that close. We can smell it. With that lead, you never can take anything for granted. We're in a good spot."

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• Phillies left-hander Adam Morgan retired 14 of the first 18 batters he faced, but the Cubs got to Morgan their third time through the lineup. He allowed hits to five of the final seven batters he faced, allowing seven hits and four runs in five-plus innings to fall to 5-6 with a 4.60 ERA. "I just left some pitches over the plate for them to hit," Morgan said. "That's a good hitting team."
• Rookie Altherr continues to show some pop. He hit a solo home run to left field in the second inning to hand the Phillies a 1-0 lead. It was Altherr's 10th extra-base hit in 80 plate appearances since being promoted from Triple-A. Meanwhile, Howard went 0-for-4 to extend his hitless streak to 33 at-bats. It is the longest such stretch by a Phillies player since Raul Ibanez had a 35 at-bat hitless streak in 2011. "He's our first baseman," Mackanin said of Howard. "He's got to battle his way out of it. We really need him. He's the power guy in our fourth spot."
• The Phillies challenged a call in the fourth inning after Howard grounded into a double play. First-base umpire Ben May ruled Howard out at first base, but replay officials in New York overturned the call and Howard was safe.
• Asher has not found the big leagues to be kind since the Phillies promoted him from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He is 0-3 with a 10.67 ERA in his first three big league starts. He allowed seven hits, six runs, three walks and three home runs in just five innings against the Cubs. "I'm concerned about it," Mackanin said. "We knew he was going to take his lumps. Everybody is really happy when they get here. They come with confidence because they've had success in the Minor Leagues. After a few poor outings, they learn quick that, 'This is a better league than I was in. I can't make many mistakes. I've got to regroup.'"
• Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard doubled to right-center field in the seventh inning to snap an 0-for-35 slump. It was the longest slump by a Phillies hitter since Raul Ibanez went 0-for-35 in 2011. No Phillies non-pitcher had gone longer without a hit since Desi Relaford went 0-for-36 in 1998. Brett Myers went 0-for-40 from 2006-08. "[Ibanez], pretty good hitter, so it happens to the best of them," Mackanin said. "It was nice to see Howie break out, so that probably took a little pressure off. You know how hot he can get. We're just hoping he can get hot again."
• Friday marked the Cubs' first traditional (non-split admission) doubleheader since they played two against the D-backs on Aug. 3, 2006, at Wrigley Field. The Phillies, on the other hand, already had played a traditional twin bill this season.
• Phillies rookie center fielder Odubel Herrera entered Friday's doubleheader leading all rookies with a .300 batting average and 26 doubles.
• The Cubs entered the twin bill with at least one extra-base hit in every game since Cole Hamels no-hit them July 26.
• With his RBI double in the fifth inning Friday, Cubs outfielder Kris Bryant established a club rookie record with 87 RBIs.

NEXT GAME:

Travis Wood makes his first start since mid-May, hoping to keep things going Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park when the Cubs and Phillies play the third of a four-game set, with rookie Jerad Eickhoff starting for Philadelphia. With wet weather on the horizon, the Cubs are tabbed Wood over scheduled starter Dan Haren, who will now start on Sunday. Wood is 2-2 with a 5.59 ERA in seven starts this season. Since being moved to the bullpen after a May 14 start, Wood pitched in 38 games, going 3-2 with a save over 50 innings. Eickhoff will be making his fifth start since his promotion from Triple-A. He allowed six runs in four innings last weekend in Boston, after allowing six runs in 19 innings in his first three starts.

PHILS PHACTS:

Is Howard Back? – Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin showed his respect for Ryan Howard a couple of weeks ago at Citi Field in New York, when he said he would not be the manager to pinch-hit for him. Mackanin continued to stick with Howard following a 5-1 loss to the Cubs in Game 1 of Friday night's doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park. Howard went 0-for-4 to extend his hitless streak to 33 at-bats, which was the longest slump by a Phillies batter since Raul Ibanez went hitless in 35 consecutive at-bats in 2011. Howard matched Ibanez, when he went hitless in his first two at-bats in Game 2, but he doubled to right-center field in the seventh inning of the 7-3 loss to snap the skid. Howard avoided becoming the first Phillies non-pitcher to go hitless in 36 at-bats since Desi Relaford in 1998. Len Matuszek also went hitless in 36 at-bats in 1982-83, with no non-pitcher going longer than 37 at-bats without a hit since '74. Phillies right-hander Brett Myers went 0-for-40 from 2006-08. "[Ibanez], pretty good hitter, so it happens to the best of them," Mackanin said. "It was nice to see Howie break out, so that probably took a little pressure off. You know how hot he can get. We're just hoping he can get hot again." Mackanin has told Howard he will not start against left-handed starters the rest of the season, although he also said he would not pinch-hit for the veteran first baseman when a left-handed reliever entered the game to face him. Howard had been one of the most feared sluggers in baseball for years, but he has posted a .426 OPS against left-handers this season, which would be the lowest mark in baseball if he had enough plate appearances to quality. Howard also has a .620 OPS against lefties since 2011, which is 233rd out of 252 hitters in baseball in that span. Howard left the clubhouse before it opened to reporters, so he was unavailable to comment. "I've seen him in slumps before," Mackanin said. "In the past, he's been very streaky. I haven't seen him in this big of a slump. There's no other alternative. He's got to keep playing and he's got to keep swinging the bat." Howard is making $25 million this season. He will make $25 million next season, plus he will receive a $10 million buyout on a 2017 club option. The Phillies have tried to trade him for more than a year, but have found no takers -- even after offering to pay almost everything owed on Howard's contract. So Howard will continue to play this season. He could be back next season, too. "He's our first baseman," Mackanin said.

Hamels Trade Looking Good – Jake Thompson couldn't have picked a better time to throw the first shutout of his career. The Phillies' No. 2 prospect scattered three hits over nine scoreless innings Friday in a 3-0 win against Binghamton, giving Double-A Reading a 2-0 series advantage in the best-of-five Eastern League semifinals. He issued one walk and struck out eight, throwing 66 of 108 pitches for strikes. Thompson, baseball's No. 55 overall prospect, had completed eight innings just once in his four-year Minor League career before Friday's outing, while it was the 10th time in 72 starts in which he's struck out at least eight batters. "I threw a lot of strikes, got ahead in counts and was able to get them to put balls in play. And the defense made every play behind me," Thompson told MiLB.com. "I was throwing good pitches in the bottom of the zone and was able to use off-speed early in the count to get ground-ball outs." I love all my teammates. Most memorable game of my life, let's get to the ship boys! @ReadingFightins @theknappyboy5 pic.twitter.com/dYv52hHx39 — Jake Thompson (@jthomp15) September 12, 2015. The 21-year-old right-hander was outstanding after coming over from the Rangers in the Cole Hamels deal, going 5-1 with a 1.80 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 34 strikeouts and 12 walks in 45 innings over his final seven regular-season starts. Thompson's performance down the stretch was particularly encouraging after his up-and-down showing in the Texas League, where he pitched to a 4.72 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 87 2/3 innings (17 starts) for Double-A Frisco. Overall, the 6-foot-4, 235-pounder registered a 3.73 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 112/42 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 132 2/3 innings during the regular season, making 24 starts between Frisco and Reading. Thompson's effort was aided by a solo home run from Phillies No. 3 prospect (No. 59 overall) Nick Williams -- also acquired from the Rangers in the Hamels blockbuster -- who went 2-for-5 in his third game back from the disabled list (concussion).

 Will Bowa Be Back? – Incoming Phillies president Andy MacPhail dropped a hint about interim manager Pete Mackanin's future on Thursday. "I know the tradition is that the GM picks his manager," MacPhail said. "I'll just go full disclosure here; if that happens, and it takes you a while to find a GM and then he gets consumed the first month or two with a manager and coaching staff, look how much of the offseason we've lost. That's a high price to pay. So we have to keep that in mind." If Mackanin sheds the interim label to become the Phils' manager in 2016, he is expected to ask most of his coaching staff to return. That certainly includes bench coach Larry Bowa. But does Bowa want to return? "If I'm going to be in uniform as a coach, I would want it to be with Philadelphia," Bowa said before Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. "I've got a lot of energy. I like what I'm doing. But right now I'm not even thinking about it. I'm just trying to get through these final 23 games." The Phillies celebrated Bowa's 50th year in baseball this year. He turns 70 in December. Does Bowa need the stress that comes with a rebuilding team? Comcast SportsNet contacted Bowa in the offseason about joining their broadcast booth this season, but he declined. There seems to be little question he would get offers to return to TV, if he wanted to leave the field. Bowa did an excellent job with MLB Network. "Let's face it, it's been a terrible year," Bowa said. "It wears on you. You've got to sit back, take a deep breath and see where we're going. I think they've made great strides in continuing the youth movement, but I don't think we're there yet. "I was beating myself up earlier. I knew we were going to be subpar. I knew that. I saw it in Spring Training that we were short. Usually when I go home, I wouldn't talk. I'd go down in my cave and watch West Coast games. But after the All-Star break, I learned how to take a deep breath and say, 'It is what it is.' I never thought I would say that, but this year I've said over and over, 'It is what it is. Keep working.'" The work is what might keep Bowa on the field. "I do have a passion for baseball," he said. "And in my mind, Cesar [Hernandez] and Freddy [Galvis] today are better than they were April 5. I get satisfaction out of that."

Where To Go From Here? – Pat Gillick plans to officially hand the reins as Phillies president to Andy MacPhail sometime before the end of October. The exact date seems insignificant at this point. MacPhail relieved Ruben Amaro Jr. of his duties as general manager on Thursday. MacPhail will be making any significant baseball decisions from this point forward. He already informed the baseball operations staff it will return in 2016, and it seems very likely Pete Mackanin will return as the manager next year, too. So what's next for Gillick, who turned 78 in August? "I don't know," Gillick said. "At this point, I haven't even thought about it." Gillick has a small ownership stake with the Phils, so if he wanted to join a different organization, he would have to sell his portion. But Gillick's legacy with the Phillies is secure. He replaced Ed Wade as general manager following the 2005 season, and three seasons later, the Phils won the '08 World Series. Gillick remained in an advisory role until he replaced David Montgomery as president in August 2014. "I've been here 10 years now, one of the longer periods [with an organization]," Gillick said. "I was in Toronto, and this is second." Gillick declined to discuss the characteristics needed in the Phillies' next general manager. He deferred to MacPhail on that, but he said the job remains the same as it was when he served in that role through 2008. "The job is hiring the right people," Gillick said. "You can talk about everything you want to talk about, but it's hiring the right people and slotting them in the right spots so they can be successful. That's the whole gig." Gillick seemed to be an Amaro supporter until the end. He touted Amaro whenever he could. Asked if Amaro had his hands tied at times over the past few seasons, Gillick declined comment. But Gillick also acknowledged it would have been tough for MacPhail to bring back Amaro. "I don't think ... the public really would accept that," Gillick said. "That wasn't the reason the decision was made, but certainly the fans and the public play into every organization in the sports industry."

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies have returned to their lackluster ways and regained their grip on last place in the NL East with a record of 54-88. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and bipolar performances this season, this could still end up being the worst team in franchise history… at least that is something to hope for this year! All time, the Phillies are 42-64-0 on this day.

Shockingly Phillies Split Double Header

GAME RECAP (Game 1): Nats Edge Phils 3-2

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg looked like his old self on Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. He allowed four hits, two runs, one walk and struck out nine over seven innings in a 3-2 victory over the Phillies in Game 1 of a doubleheader. Strasburg is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two starts since returning from the disabled list because of neck and back issues. He has allowed eight hits, two runs, two walks and struck out 15 over 12 innings in those starts. "He pitched great. No restrictions up to 110 pitches. Good fastball, even in the last inning. Made a good pitch to get out of it," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "It's nice that he's healthy. That's nice that he's going out there and had no issues. When he doesn't, that could be the result." Phillies right fielder Jeff Francoeur hit a solo homer and had an RBI single to account for Philadelphia's two runs, as Kevin Correia allowed three runs (one earned) over 5 1/3 innings. "Strasburg pitched about as well as I've seen him pitch in a couple years," said Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin. "He used his breaking stuff and threw it for strikes, and he still had his good velocity. He pitched better than we've seen him in the past -- especially this year."

GAME RECAP (Game 2): Phils Stun Nats 8-5

The Phillies used Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Nationals to salvage a long day and a long weekend. Philadelphia picked up 12 hits and scored eight runs in just 3 1/3 innings against Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark in the 8-5 victory at Citizens Bank Park to avoid a sweep. Eleven of those hits against Roark, who started after Saturday's game got cancelled because of rain, were singles. The Phillies tallied 16 hits overall, and just one went for extra bases. "We had a nice ending to a long day," said Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin, who won his first game since replacing Ryne Sandberg. "We started with a [coaches] clinic this morning at 9:30, then had the doubleheader. None of them are easy to win, but that one was nice to win. It's good to get a win under our belt." The Nationals picked away at the Phillies' lead with home runs from Ian Desmond and Jose Lobaton, but it was not enough to overcome the early deficit.

OTHER NOTES FROM THE DAY:

• Phillies left-hander Jake Diekman replaced Jeanmar Gomez with two on and two out in the sixth, but he walked Span on four pitches to load the bases. His first pitch to Espinosa -- a slider -- sailed high and wide away from Cameron Rupp. The play, officially ruled a passed ball, allowed Dan Uggla to score to hand the Nats a 3-1 lead.
• Francoeur hit a solo home run to left field in the second inning to hand the Phillies a 1-0 lead. He also singled to score a run in the sixth. But he twice mishandled a ball Span hit to the right-field wall in the fifth, which allowed the Nationals to tie the game. Francoeur first bobbled the ball trying to pick it up. He then threw the ball about three feet in front of him, which allowed Span to reach third. Span scored on Espinosa's sacrifice fly.
• In the ninth inning, Ian Desmond hit into a force play, but the Nationals claimed that Uggla was safe at second base. After three minutes and three seconds, the play stood and the Nationals lost their challenge.
• The top of the Phillies' lineup had a nice evening. Odubel Herrera and Cesar Hernandez hit first and second, respectively. Herrera had three hits and Hernandez had four. Maikel Franco hit third, and he picked up two hits and three RBIs. Domonic Brown, who hit fourth, added two hits and drove in a run.
• Phillies right-hander Severino Gonzalez, who got the start because of Saturday's rainout, had been unable to pitch more than five innings in his first five big league starts. He picked up an out in the sixth for a career high, but he could not finish the inning. The Phillies are hoping to see more from Gonzalez, who is the No. 14 prospect in the organization, according to MLBPipeline.com. "He's got the potential to be a starter at this level," Mackanin said. "He's not an ace. I don't think he's a top-of-the-order starter, but he's definitely capable of pitching at this level."
• "Brown doesn't have numbers for me to justify playing him against a righty or a lefty." -- Mackanin, on why Francoeur started against Strasburg and not Domonic Brown, who hits left-handed.
• "It will be addressed. We're going to talk about it, but I don't want to beat them up." -- Mackanin, asked if he had talked to his players about the team's sloppy play on defense in both games.
• Tommy Joseph, whom the Phillies acquired in July 2012 from the Giants in the Hunter Pence trade, is changing positions. He will move from catcher to first base following numerous concussions.
• Ryne Sandberg unexpectedly resigned as Phillies manager on Friday, and Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Pete Mackanin would be the team's interim manager at least through the weekend. Mackanin is expected to continue that role for this week's series against the Brewers. The managerial position should become more concrete once the Phillies announce Andy MacPhail has joined the organization, which is expected to happen this week.
• Nelson has been a model of inconsistency, which is perhaps to be expected in his first full Major League season. After setting career highs for hits allowed in consecutive starts against the Nationals and Royals, he held the Mets to one run on two hits in eight stellar innings at Miller Park on Wednesday.
• Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy, still seeking a hot streak after returning from a fractured big toe, is a career .462 hitter in 43 plate appearances at Citizens Bank Park. He has four doubles, a triple, four home runs, 10 RBIs and a 1.435 OPS there.

NEXT GAME:

The teams with Major League Baseball's two poorest records will meet for a four-game series beginning Monday, when Jimmy Nelson leads the Brewers into Citizens Bank Park against Sean O'Sullivan and the Phillies. It's the first time all season that the Brewers will play a team with a lower winning percentage, but manager Craig Counsell insisted he hasn't had trouble keeping his team motivated. "That's not hard," Counsell said. "There's a challenge every night in front of a Major League Baseball player. The challenge is to perform every single night, no matter what the record is, and I think we've done a good job of responding to that challenge. That's the challenge that these guys live for. "So no matter what's going on, to have an opportunity to compete and get that challenge every day, that fire doesn't go out for guys. They've done a good job with that."

PHILS PHACTS:

Two Headed Frenchie – Jeff Francoeur provided most of the Phillies' entertainment in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park. Francoeur hit a solo home run to left field against Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg in the second inning and singled to score a run in the sixth inning in a 3-2 loss. They were two of the four hits Strasburg allowed in seven innings. "You've got to like that," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said about Francoeur's offensive performance. But then Francoeur twice mishandled a ball in right field in the fifth inning, which set up the Nationals' game-tying run. Denard Span hit a one-out double to the wall, and Francoeur bobbled and dropped the ball when he reached it. He then threw the ball about three feet in front of him -- the ball slipped out of his hands -- which allowed Span to reach third. Span scored on Danny Espinosa's sacrifice fly to tie the game. "The error, the dropped ball in right field -- twice -- didn't help," Mackanin said. Mackanin chose to start Francoeur over Domonic Brown against Strasburg. Brown started Game 2 against Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark. Francoeur entered Sunday hitting .253 with nine doubles, one triple, four home runs and 21 RBIs and a .689 OPS in 57 games. Brown had hit .179 with three doubles, three RBIs and a .561 OPS in 11 games. Why not play the platoon in both games, starting Brown twice? "Brown doesn't have numbers for me to justify to playing him against a righty or a lefty," Mackanin said. "Francoeur has been a pretty good player for us. He split up the righties and lefties for us. Once again, with a doubleheader I wanted to get everybody in the games. It worked out pretty good, or so it seemed."

A Costly Inning – Managing two games at once isn't easy for anyone, especially not someone who's only been managing his team for three days. But with starter Kevin Correia on the mound in the sixth inning, that is what Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin found himself doing in the Phillies' eventual 3-2 loss to the Nationals on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park in Game 1 of a doubleheader. "Basically, it had to be stingy," Mackanin said. "We had a doubleheader. You've got to try to win the game, as well as be careful for the next one." This idea of double managing came into play in the sixth inning. Correia began the inning by walking Clint Robinson and giving up a single to Dan Uggla before forcing Ian Desmond to fly out to center field for the first out. The next batter, Michael Taylor, doubled to left field, plating Robinson and moving Uggla to third. Mackanin had seen enough of Correia and decided to bring in right-handed reliever Jeanmar Gomez to face Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who hasn't reached base since last Sept. 15. Strasburg didn't change that trend, grounding out to Cesar Hernandez for the second out -- not even hitting it hard enough to score Uggla from third. The decision to have Gomez pitch to Strasburg, according to Mackanin, was actually a delayed reaction. Mackanin said he wanted to throw Gomez against Taylor, but was afraid of using Gomez too much in the first game, leaving him unavailable for the second. Since Gomez did get the out, Correia said he was OK with Mackanin's decision to pull him. "[I think I could've gotten the out], but it's just the situation right now where obviously we know it's a close game -- so obviously I'm not going to argue with any of the management decisions," Correia said. "We're obviously trying to feel a lot of different things out, right now. At this point in my career, I just want to win the game." After that, Gomez's day was over -- as Mackanin called for left-hander Jake Diekman to face left-hander Denard Span. The problem was, Diekman didn't fare particularly well. He walked Span on four pitches and then allowed Uggla to score on an errant pitch that deflected off catcher Cameron Rupp's glove that was ruled a passed ball. But it was quite a bit out of the strike zone. That run ended up being the difference in the game. Mackanin said Diekman came into the game in that situation because he doesn't have the confidence in him to pitch him later in the game. Despite Diekman's less-than-stellar performance, Mackanin said the more disconcerting part of the game was the defense behind the pitcher. The Phillies made two errors, plus that passed ball that allowed the run to score. As "disappointed" as Mackanin said he was, Correia's reasoning for being dismayed by the errors proved more valuable. Correia pointed out that allowing extra baserunners provides the top of the order with more plate appearances, and the Nationals took full advantage of the situation. "I think it's more innings later where you're facing guys for the second, third time that you might not have been later in the game," Correia said. "It's huge for me, because they're going to see more of what you're featuring the third time around."

Showing Some Progress – The 2015 season is nearly halfway complete, which means the Phillies should be getting good reads on the players they have in their system. Severino Gonzalez is one of them. The Phillies named the right-hander their Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2013, and MLBPipeline.com ranks him as the No. 14 prospect in the organization. He picked up the win in Sunday evening's 8-5 victory over the Nationals in Game 2 of a doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park, but the Phillies need to see more from him if he expects to be part of their future. "A lot of pitchers develop later in their 20s," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "He's in that process. I like the way he attacks the zone. I like the way he pitches quickly. For the most part, he throws strikes. He needs to work on his breaking ball more, and keep the ball down in the zone. "He's got the potential to be a starter at this level. He's not an ace. I don't think he's a top-of-the-order starter, but he's definitely capable of pitching at this level." Gonzalez, 22, allowed six hits, four runs, one walk and two home runs, and he struck out seven in 5 1/3 innings against the Nationals. It was the longest outing of his six-start career. Gonzalez (3-2, 8.28 ERA) had pitched five or more innings in just three of his six starts, which is something that must improve. A big reason why he has not seen the sixth inning is that opponents have hit .500 (30-for-60) against him after they see him for the first time in a game. They have just a .222 average (10-for-45) the first time through the lineup. "Unless you're a dominant power pitcher with great stuff, once the hitters see you, they start looking for certain pitches," Mackanin said. "They know what you can do and what you can't do. Seve is not a power pitcher, obviously. He's not a finesse pitcher. He's somewhere in the middle. He's got enough to be a good pitcher, but once again at this level, you've got to be pretty good. You've got to have command of your pitches." "I've been focusing on that down in Triple-A," Gonzalez said through translator Juan Samuel, when asked about his inability to pitch deep into games. "One thing I've started doing is playing long toss a little bit more to get more strength and stamina on the mound. I've been working on that. I'm aware of it. "I've learned I need to keep the ball down. The times I've been hurt, pitches have been up. So I need to concentrate more on pitching down and getting a good downward angle on my pitches." Gonzalez, who also picked up his first Major League hit and RBI, allowed four consecutive hits in the fourth inning to cut the Phillies lead to 4-3. He then allowed a home run with one out in the sixth inning to Jose Lobaton to cut the lead to 8-4. Mackanin pulled him after that. Gonzalez, who got the start because of Saturday's rainout, was optioned to Triple-A afterward. "It's a learning experience for him," Mackanin said. "He's got guts. He's not afraid."

Not A Power Offense – In the past week, the Phillies have juggled with the delicate balance between surviving and thriving. They survived a manager stepping down. They survived their ace, Cole Hamels, getting hit hard by the Yankees. They survived five innings without putting a runner on base against a pitcher coming off a no-hitter. But in other moments, some in their 8-5 victory over the Nats on Sunday, the Phillies thrived. Four times in the last seven games, the offense has posted eight or more runs, a feat it had achieved just once in the nearly three full months prior. To interim manager Pete Mackanin, this week's offensive output showed that continued survival can eventually break through to success. "I think these guys are trying to survive, and they're just trying to put to use what they talk about and what they work on in the batting cage," Mackanin said. "They're learning as they play, and unfortunately this is a tough level to learn at. But this is the only place to learn how you play Major League baseball. We've got work to do, but it's nice to see a lot of these guys doing what they could today." The Phillies finished Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader with 15 singles and one extra-base hit, an Andres Blanco double in the second inning. Most of those singles were clustered in the second and fourth innings, where 12 hits brought in all eight of the team's runs. Cesar Hernandez stood out with a 4-for-4 showing, in which he stole a base and scored a run. Counting his performance in the first game of the doubleheader, Hernandez was 6-for-8 Sunday, all six of his hits singles, with three stolen bases. Mackanin said Hernandez, who has 13 hits in his last seven games and was one of two Phillies to start and complete both of Sunday's games, is streaking because of his increased exposure. "One of our concerns in Spring Training was it would behoove him to play and we'd like to see him play a lot but as a part time player, I don't think at this stage of his career he's really ready to be a part-time player," Mackanin said. "But he certainly looks like he's got a chance to be an everyday player. He's learning and gaining confidence." In those second and fourth innings, the Phillies twice strung together four singles in a row. In both situations, the first two men to single scored because of the singles that came after them. Maikel Franco and Domonic Brown were involved in both occasions, driving in the runs in the second inning and scoring the runs in the fourth.

TJ To 1B And Other Minor Updates – It seemed inevitable that Tommy Joseph would need to change positions to continue his baseball career. The change became official this week. The Phillies are moving Joseph from catcher to first base, following a string of concussions he sustained behind the plate since they acquired him in July 2012, when they traded Hunter Pence to the Giants. Joseph suffered his latest concussion this season, but he has also battled vision deficiencies, which could have been a result of the concussions. "He's been going through a lot of vision therapy," Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan said on Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. "They said that what they've accomplished on that is encouraging." Joseph, 23, will work out at first base through the remainder of Triple-A Lehigh Valley's homestand, which runs through Friday. He will continue that work with Double-A Reading, before eventually heading to Clearwater, Fla. "He's positive, he's excited -- and I am, too," Jordan said. "He had to have the burden of, 'When is this going to happen again?' I've seen him play first base. He's just ready to get going." Other Minor League matters: Aaron Nola: Nola is 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA in his first two starts with Lehigh Valley. He threw five scoreless innings in his IronPigs debut on June 18, but he required 95 pitches to do it. Buffalo's hitters extended his pitch count by consistently fouling off pitches. Jordan sat behind the plate with Nola three days later, when Nola was charting pitches. Nola called his first Triple-A start a great learning experience. He applied that information to Wednesday's start, also against Buffalo. He allowed six hits, three runs, one walk and struck out seven in 7 2/3 innings. He needed just 96 pitches this time. "That's the thing about him," Jordan said. "Just a great feel. That was impressive. To see him apply it against the same lineup was impressive." Kelly Dugan: Dugan, like Joseph, is another oft-injured prospect in the system. But he is back playing with Reading, and playing well. Dugan, who had been sidelined most of the season with a foot injury, has hit .362 with four doubles, five RBIs and an .851 OPS in 12 games with Reading. "All he's done is perform and put up numbers since I've been here, when he's been healthy," Jordan said. "Kelly looks good. His timing isn't quite there, but he can hit. He's been good." Cornelius Randolph: The team's No. 1 pick in this year's Draft is adjusting well to left field. Minor League outfield coordinator Andy Abad told Jordan recently that Randolph, who was drafted as a shortstop, is going to be a good outfielder. "He's athletic enough, but we're just starting that process," Jordan said. Malquin Canelo: The Phillies just promoted the 20-year-old shortstop from Class A Lakewood to Clearwater. He hit .311 with 22 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 23 RBIs, 10 stolen bases, 21 walks and 39 strikeouts in 287 plate appearances with Lakewood. He homered in his first game last week with Clearwater. "There's more than one shortstop here," said Jordan, referring to the highly-touted J.P. Crawford, who is in Reading. Canelo, whom the organization signed as an amateur free agent in April 2012, is a plus defender who has started to hit. "He's an [Adeiny] Hechavarria kind of guy," Jordan said. "He's a good player. Nobody ever talks about him, but people will start talking about him very soon."

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies are starting the season as expected and are now at the bottom of the NL east at 27-50. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and performance so far this season, this could end up being the worst team in franchise history! All time, the Phillies are 57-56-0 on this day.