Suárez strikes out career-high 10 before Marlins rally

Left-hander Ranger Suárez was dealing for most of the series finale vs. the Marlins at Citizens Bank Park, but he ended up with a no-decision in the Phillies' 5-4 loss on Sunday afternoon. Miami took two out of three games in the set and topped the Phils in the season series, 7-6.

Philadelphia’s bullpen had problems in the later frames, after Suárez threw 6 1/3 no-hit innings before he faltered. The game was tied, 3-3, when the Marlins took the lead in the top of the eighth inning against Seranthony Domínguez on Bryan De La Cruz's two-run homer over the center-field fence.

The Phillies scored one run on an RBI double by Nick Castellanos off Andrew Nardi in the bottom of the inning, but they fell short against closer Tanner Scott.

• Games remaining: vs. ATL (4), at STL (3), at ATL (3), vs. NYM (4), vs. PIT (3), at NYM (3)
• Standings update: The Phillies (78-64) hold a two-game lead over the Cubs (77-67) for the top NL Wild Card spot.

The loss spoiled a solid outing from Suárez. His four-seam fastball, changeup and curveball were at their best -- at least for the first six innings. He retired 18 of the first 20 he faced and struck out a career-high 10 batters.

Suárez has had an up-and-down season due to injuries (left elbow and right hamstring problems) and inconsistency on the mound. The Phillies are hoping Sunday’s outing can help spark the team for the final three weeks and the postseason.

“I was really happy with what Ranger did, he was fantastic,” manager Rob Thomson said. “He had everything going really. Curveball was sharp. Changeup was really effective. Fastball, it looked like he was locating. … The more guys that are pitching well, the better off you are going to be.”

Suárez feels like he is headed in the right direction.

“Every time I go out there on the mound, I give 100 percent," Suárez said through an interpreter. "Hopefully, next time it will be better."

Suárez had a 3-0 lead to work with after the third inning, thanks to a first-inning two-run homer from Trea Turner. Two innings later, Kyle Schwarber homered over the right-field wall.

“We have to keep battling," Turner said. "[Teams] in the hunt are not going to give up. We have to start taking advantage of some opportunities. ... We played a good ballclub over there and let a couple [of games] slip away.”

But Suárez was not at his best when the seventh inning came around. He was able to get one quick out, but then he was unable to retire the next three hitters. The biggest hit came when Marlins first baseman Yuli Gurriel doubled to right-center field, scoring De La Cruz (walk) and Dane Myers (double).

“What happened was, I missed a pitch," Suárez said. "I didn’t locate one pitch. They did damage on that pitch."

Suárez then left the game in favor of left-hander Matt Strahm, who allowed the tying run to score on a single by Nick Fortes.

If there’s any good news from this game, it’s that Suárez went deep and saved the bullpen for Monday's doubleheader against the Braves to open a four-game series.

“They are going to be tough games," Thomson said. "Two really good teams going at it. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. But we have to grind through it."