The Miami Marlins led by two runs, but a sixth-inning bullpen collapse led to a 6-4 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies, nearly crushing all playoff hopes.

Reliever Michael Peterson (2-3) was credited with the loss; meanwhile, Alex McFarlane (1-1) was credited with a win and Brooks Raley claimed his first save of the season. The Marlins (64-63) revert to a game above .500 and 3.5 games behind the San Diego Padres for the last Wild Card spot in the National League. The Arizona Diamondbacks (one game behind) and St. Louis Cardinals (2.5 games behind) leap ahead in the standings, as the Phillies (69-58) are winners of five consecutive games.

Manager Clayton McCullough used six total pitchers, including Peterson and Tyler Phillips in the sixth, which is when disaster struck.

After three early outs, the Phillies got the scoring started early.

Right fielder Bryce Harper walked, then second baseman Luis Arraez singled to center field. First baseman Alec Bohm drove in the game’s first run, giving the Phillies an early lead, with a single to left field before the inning closed.

First Baseman Griffin Conine immediately responded with a solo homer to tie the score. He took a 94.8-mile four-seam fastball high in the strike zone 422 feet deep at a 109.4 exit velocity. It’s Conine’s 14th home run of the season.

Following a couple of scoreless innings, catcher Brian Navarreto and center fielder Jakob Marsee were walked, then second baseman Xavier Edwards singled and drove in a run to give the Marlins the lead.

Shortstop Otto Lopez walked, then Conine singled to advance a runner in scoring position. Although left fielder Herbierto Hernandez grounded into a force out, a throwing error by Arraez to first allowed the Marlins to score an extra run.

Facing a two-run deficit, the Phillies began to rally.

Shortstop Trea Turner got a free base (hit by pitch), then Arraez singled to advance a runner in scoring position. Bohm doubled to cut the deficit to one. Third baseman Bryson Stott kept the momentum going with a ground ball single to drive in two more runs and retake the lead. Left fielder Brandon Marsh singled, then center fielder Justin Crawford drove in a run to give the Phillies a two-run advantage.

The game nearly got out of the Marlins’ reach, as designated hitter Kyle Schwarber initially believed to have knocked out a three-run homer. However, the baseball didn’t land in fair territory. Schwarber struck out to end the inning and the Marlins were relieved of severe damage.

Despite facing two outs, Conine reached second off a throwing error by reliever Orion Kerkering. Hernandez drove him in to cut the deficit to one before Ramirez grounded into a force out.

After Stott and catcher J.T. Realmuto walked, Schwarber drove in a run to give the Phillies insurance, before Turner struck out.

The Marlins failed to get a base hit, officially losing the series, and looking to avoid a sweep on Wednesday.

Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes, Miami Heat, and Miami Marlins for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports