Garrett Stubbs’ 3-run homer lifts Phillies over Marlins

By KEVIN COONEY Associated Press

Garrett Stubbs hit a three-run homer with two out in the ninth inning, sending the Philadelphia Phillies to a dramatic 3-1 victory over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday.

Alec Bohm sparked the winning rally with a one-out single against Tanner Scott (2-2). Pinch-hitter J.T. Realmuto walked before Yairo Muñoz struck out swinging for the second out.

That brought Stubbs to the plate, and he drove a 2-2 fastball deep to right for his third homer.

Kyle Gibson pitched eight-plus innings for Philadelphia before Connor Brogdon (2-0) got three outs for the win.

Miguel Rojas homered for Miami, and Daniel Castano pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Rojas and Jon Berti each had two hits.

Castano was promoted when right-handers Edward Cabrera and Cole Sulser were placed on the injured list before the game.

Castano, a 27-year-old left-hander, allowed five hits, struck out three and walked two. He retired Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos and Didi Gregorius in a row after Rhys Hoskins’ leadoff triple in the sixth.

CLOSING TIME

After another shaky outing in Tuesday night’s 11-9 loss to the Marlins, Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced that Corey Knebel will take a step back from the closing role to focus on his mechanics.

Knebel, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract in the offseason to help solidify Philadelphia’s leaky bullpen, has blown four saves and posted a 4.91 ERA since May 5. He has walked 13 batters in 14 2/3 innings in that stretch.

“For the near future, we’ll put him in a position where he can breathe a little because he’s not throwing the ball where he wants,” Thomson said. “And he knows that.”

When asked for his reaction, Knebel was brief.

“I don’t think there’s anything to say,” he said. “The decision has been made. I’m going to go do my job.”

Thomson indicated that the Phillies will use a closer-by-committee approach for the time being, with Seranthony Dominiguez as the likely recipient of most save opportunities.

TRAINERS ROOM

RHP Zach Eflin was scheduled to meet with a doctor after experiencing discomfort in his knee Tuesday night. Thomson indicated that Eflin felt better Wednesday morning, but the club wanted him to see the doctor out of extreme caution. Eflin had surgery on that right knee last offseason.

UP NEXT

For the Phillies, a nine-game, three-city road trip begins with five games in Washington starting on Thursday night. RHP Zack Wheeler (5-3, 2.84 ERA) starts for the Phillies against LHP Patrick Corbin (3-8, 6.65 ERA).