Cueto's performance encouraging despite series loss

MIAMI -- With a quick turnaround after a long night on Wednesday, the Marlins were hoping for Johnny Cueto to pitch deep into the game on Thursday afternoon.

In that regard, Cueto delivered a six-plus innings performance, keeping his team in the game.

However, the 37-year-old was charged with four runs, and the Miami offense was unable to do much off newly acquired Phillies right-hander Michael Lorenzen in a 4-2 loss at loanDepot park.

“We needed innings,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “We were light in the bullpen today. We didn’t have many options. For him to provide six innings, going into the seventh inning, there weren’t many options out there today. A lot of guys were down after a long game yesterday. Just the bullpen usage of late. We’re in a 13-game stretch. We needed innings, and he did great. … He pitched really well. If he does that, we’ll be OK.”

Bryan De La Cruz homered for Miami, and Lorenzen allowed two runs in eight innings in his first start with the Phillies since being acquired from Detroit.

Miami ended up dropping three of four to the Phillies in the series, falling 1 1/2 games behind Philadelphia for second place in the National League East.

Also on Thursday, the Marlins were unable to carry over the momentum after they pulled out a thrilling, 9-8, victory in 12 innings on Wednesday.

With Thursday’s matinee starting at 12:10 p.m., Cueto went home early on Wednesday.

“Yeah, I got to leave early,” Cueto said through an interpreter. “So I got a good night sleep. All good. Normal.”

Even though the outcome didn’t go the Marlins’ way on Thursday, Cueto’s performance was encouraging, because the veteran is starting to resemble his old self.

“I’ve been working really hard to get back to that rhythm,” Cueto said. “That’s how I feel. I’m feeling good right now. I would like to continue doing that, and help the team.”

Cueto made it into the seventh inning with Miami trailing 2-1 before he exited with the bases full and no outs at 100 pitches.

Since rejoining the rotation on July 22 against the Colorado Rockies, Cueto has given the Marlins something they’ve desperately needed -- quality innings.

“We understand the importance of the series,” Cueto said. “They won the series. They took those three, but there’s plenty of games ahead. We’ve got to continue winning. Just keep battling.”

As the Marlins venture deeper into their push for the postseason, their rotation faces challenges.

The three staples are ace Sandy Alcantara (143 1/3 innings), Jesus Luzardo (125 innings) and Braxton Garrett (111 innings).

At some point, rookie phenom Eury Perez is expected to be brought back from Double-A Pensacola.

But the 20-year-old is having his innings closely calculated. Perez last started in the big leagues on July 6, and he’s logged 53 1/3 innings with Miami. Counting his 36 2/3 innings in the Minors, he’s at 90 on the season.

Cueto, making his third start and fourth appearance since coming off the injured list on July 10, was shaken up two batters into Thursday’s game.

Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm smoked a comebacker that struck Cueto on the inside of his left foot. The exit speed, according to Statcast, was 104.2 mph. The ball deflected back to catcher Jacob Stallings, who threw to first base for the out.

Cueto was tended to by the Marlins’ training staff, and remained in the game.

If Cueto had made a quick exit, the Marlins had lefty Devin Smeltzer on hand, along with George Soriano, as long-relief options.

Smeltzer had his contract selected from Triple-A Jacksonville before Thursday’s game, and the southpaw did see action in the series finale, striking out five of the six batters he faced in two scoreless innings.

“No sleep last night,” Smeltzer said. “I found out like 11:30, my flight was at 5:40 [a.m.], so I was up around 3 [a.m.]. That’s all part of it. I drink some extra cafecito.”

The Phillies broke on top in the second inning on J.T. Realmuto’s two-run home run to right field.

Miami responded in the fourth inning on Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s RBI double, which scored Josh Bell (who walked) from first.

Chisholm has matched his career-high hit streak at 11 games.

Cueto came out for the seventh inning, and dealt with some tough luck. Bryce Harper singled to right, and Nick Castellanos floated a soft single that second baseman Luis Arraez fielded on one hop and nearly forced Harper out at second. Initially, Harper was ruled out, but the Phillies challenged and the call was overturned.

Bryson Scott walked to fill the bases, and A.J. Puk relieved Cueto.

Brandon Marsh slapped a one-out, two-run single to right.

“That was the idea, trying to go as deep as I could, throw seven innings,” Cueto said. “But Harper got that hit, and Castellanos got that one too. Things went the other way.”