"These guys have the ability. They just got to get it done," Manager Joe Girardi said.
Girardi was seen talking to catcher J.T. Realmuto in the dugout after Alfaro walked the Marlins off. Realmuto said Girardi was asking him what he saw out of the back end of the bullpen in this loss.
"I think we just got to do a better job attacking guys. I think the stuff is there. We're just getting into bad counts, walking leadoff guys with a three-run lead. Can't do that, stuff like that, and be successful late in the games," he said.
And add injury to insult — totally unrelated to this game — starting pitcher Zack Wheeler will not pitch Saturday as planned. Girardi said the nail on Wheeler’s middle finger is very sore.
"It happened yesterday, putting on his pants," Girardi said courtesy of NBC Sports Philadelphia. "He caught his nail. Can’t make this up."
The manager said they hope Wheeler will be available Monday.
Thursday was a bad start to their long series in Miami. The Marlins are a half-game behind the Phils for second place in the National League East.