Phillies bullpen blows lead after stellar Luzardo outing

PHILADELPHIA — Jesús Luzardo made it look easy against the club that let him go in the offseason.

Facing the Miami Marlins for the first time since the December trade that sent him to Philadelphia, Luzardo allowed only one earned run on eight hits over seven innings. He struck out seven and walked none. His season ERA is at 2.08 after five starts.

The young Marlins lineup came out swinging, and Luzardo was able to take advantage of their aggressiveness. Despite going a season-high seven innings, Luzardo threw the least amount of pitches he’s had all season at 88. He was able to retire the side on 11 pitches or fewer in four of his seven innings of work.

He probably pitches into the eighth inning if the Phillies had a cleaner seventh inning defensively. Bryce Harper missed a ground ball hit off the bat of Matt Mervis that was scored a double. Bryson Stott booted what should have been the final out of the inning, allowing an unearned run to score.

Orion Kerkering allowed a three-run home run in the top of the eighth to erase a 4-2 Phillies lead.

The Phillies tied the game a half inning later. Pinch hitter Cal Stevenson reached on an infield single to drive in a run and make it 5-5 in the bottom of the eighth. The Marlins scored two runs in the top of the tenth against Matt Strahm to secure a 7-5 win.