Apr 6, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jordan Romano (68) walks off the mound after being removed from the game during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline
Everything went right offensively for the Phillies Saturday, as Johan Rojas, Bryson Stott and Trea Turner led an 18-hit, 11-run performance against the Miami Marlins.
Still, the Phillies ultimately needed José Alvarado to come in and record the final out of an 11-10 victory after Jordan Romano imploded in what had been a non-save situation in the top of the ninth inning.
Dane. Did. That. 💣💥 pic.twitter.com/K2WpyLFbEc
Despite hitting 99 mph with his fourseam fastball, Romano turned in what he called "probably the worst outing of my career," giving up a three-run home run to Dane Myers, an RBI double to Graham Pauley and a two-run shot to Liam Hicks. Romano entered with an 11-4 lead, and departed after recording as many outs (two) as home runs allowed. After giving up six runs Sunday, Romano's ERA on the season has spiked to 15.26.
"Yeah, you know, I felt great out there. That's the best my arm has felt in a long time. Go out there, throwing strikes, felt confident honestly in all my pitches," Romano said after the appearance. "I just ... I don't know, they were seeing it really well today. Everything I threw in there, felt like they were pretty comfortable with ... obviously putting pretty good swings on it.
"...Obviously like when I'm up in the count, I need to make better pitches 1-2, 0-2," Romano continued. "But I still felt great out there, just got crushed."
With all due respect to Myers, Pauley and Hicks, this wasn't exactly Gary Sheffield, Moises Alou and Giancarlo Stanton that Romano was facing. Perhaps all three will end up being great players for the Marlins, but as things stand right now this is one of the most non-descript rosters in MLB history, one that's likely to lose 100+ games this season.
Say it with us: LIAM HICKS 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/PHmntP3WhU
When a pitcher gets hit around like that against an underwhelming opponent — even if the location at times was poor — it's pretty natural to wonder if he's tipping pitches.
Romano isn't always someone who goes back and watches film, but after an appearance like this, the former All-Star says looking back over the footage of his outing is needed.
"Yeah, when it's that bad, yeah, for sure," Romano said. "Usually, I don't when it's just maybe a blooper or something like that, but when they're putting that good of swings on it, for sure."
Romano is very positive, something that's come across pretty clearly even though most of his media sessions since coming to the Phillies have been after blowups. You didn't sense postgame that Romano is down on himself.
But clearly, there's real frustration with the results he's gotten so far after signing a one-year, $8.5 million deal to be one of the highest-leverage arms in Rob Thomson's bullpen.
"You know what's like honestly crazy to me? I went out there and I kind of like executed what I wanted to do. It was just the worst result possible," Romano said. "I wanted to go out there, I wanted to drive the zone with my heater, throw the slider in there for strikes. And, I mean, I did that — it just got crushed."
Pretty candid postgame thoughts from Jordan Romano
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/iLvUsBXSO5
- Taijuan Walker departed after four innings and only 56 pitches Sunday because his shoulder tightened up. Both he and Thomson expressed optimism that with an extra day off and some treatment, he should be good to make his next scheduled start Friday, April 25 vs. the Chicago Cubs.
- Speaking of Walker, he obviously dealt with his fair share of struggles a year ago. After the game, I asked him as someone who has turned things around so far this year if there's anything he could say to a struggling Romano right now:
As someone who has experienced some struggles in Philadelphia, is there anything Taijuan Walker can say to Jordan Romano to help him through his difficult start to 2025? pic.twitter.com/llMfkO4n2i
- It's worth a reminder that the Phillies won today, and it was a really impressive day from the offense. You can read about that here:
From Johan Rojas to Bryson Stott, everything goes right offensively for #Phillies Saturday
onpattison.com/news/2025/ap...
— Tim Kelly (@timkellysports.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 4:29 PM
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- Finally, tomorrow is a big day at Citizens Bank Park as the Phillies go for the afternoon sweep of the Marlins. Not only is it Easter, but also the Phillie Phanatic's birthday. To celebrate, the Phillies will wear their Phanatic batting practice caps in the game, like they did a year ago.
Uni Scoop: The Phillies will wear their Phanatic batting practice caps during Sunday's game against the Miami Marlins as the mascot's birthday is celebrated at Citizens Bank Park, On Pattison has learned.
onpattison.com/news/2025/ap...
— Tim Kelly (@timkellysports.bsky.social) April 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
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